Influencial Person Essays - , Term Papers

Influencial person Be Proud Of Who You Are My grandmother was born at a time when the Japanese had invaded Korea. At those times girls were not considered to be very important and guys were valued. That hasnt changed a whole lot even today. Yet my grandma was an extrodinary women, she was the youngest girl in her family and her mother died when she was only five years old. She went to about third grade because Korea doesnt have a public school system and learned most of her reading and writing skills through her older sisters, who knew a little more than her. My grandma was a fast learner and was able to learn Korean and even Japanese quickly. Living under a very strict father she was not able to go farther than the front yard. She was often discouraged in learning stuff such as math, history, and reading and writing. Most of these stuff was often taught only to boys that could afford it. Girls were not taught anything but how to cook and clean. Regardless of her sex she desired for something better. She learned these basic skills independently and even exceeded in them. She loved reading books and read what she could find and she is the most intelligent person I know. She is a multi-talented women with determination and believes if you set your mind your goal there isnt anything that you cant achieve. My grandma wasnt able to be somebody that gave a lot of influence and didnt meet some of her goals, I am proud of her intelligence and how much she was able to do independently. Even as a grandma she loves to learn and presently is learning English. She is almost eighty years old and she looks like she is only sixty. Even now as a grandma, she is active and passionate about education. She encourages me to get a good education and more than my parents wants me to grow and mature with confidence in who I am and what I can achieve. She always tells me there isnt anything that you cant do if you work hard for it. She doesnt regret or looks back and complain about the Japanese control of Korea because through that she was able to push herself and achieve all that she has. Through her hardships she learned to be strong-willed and determined.

Strategic Thinking And Change Management The WritePass Journal

Strategic Thinking And Change Management Abstract Strategic Thinking And Change Management ). Threat of substitutes With intense competition in the Market, there is a potential threat of substitute products. In fact, as Netflix and Blockbuster battle it out, others are gaining ground in substitute offerings as seen with Video-on-demand which has grown at double digit rates in the past two years. Bargaining power of suppliers Suppliers are likely to have less purchase power especially given the acquisition of Movielink. If this acquisition leads to more online downloads, the company will have little need for plastic cases and DVDs and as such, the bargaining power of suppliers is likely to reduce (Janjua 2012). Intensity of competitive rivalry The rivalry in the market is definitely high. Already, Blockbuster has lost many of its customers to Netflix. The company must reinvent and implement strategies that would sway back customers. How Blockbuster can realign itself to the needs of the external environment The corporate strategy would require the company to capitalize on innovative emergent technologies to provide it with strategic breakthroughs in the competitive business environment, while not losing sight of its in-store operations (Fryman 2010). As such, a click and brick strategy would be more suitable for the company. Blockbuster must realigns its business processes with IT and use it in their favour. In realigning their business processes with IT, the company must access the strategic alignment model in terms of purpose, initiatives, project leadership, infrastructure and goals that will create a paradigm shift (Carr 2010). The realignment process must enable the company to embrace online opportunities which Netflix and Redbox have already perfected. Realigning business process with IT (Kalakota 2011) Whilst Blockbuster seems to have already embedded IT into their core business model as seen with the total access program which enhances online customers experience, this has not helped much as the company has lost most of its customers to online retailers such as Netflix and Lovefilm .The failure by the company to quickly adapt to the changing business environment and consumer habits is suggested to have been the main problem. The company took long to transform its business model and when it did, the competitive landscape had already been fundamentally altered and the tradition model destroyed by the new platform model (Carr 2010). The company needs to conduct a massive marketing campaign which should focus on growing their online rental subscriber base. The company could also form an alliance with cell phone companies and arranging with these companies to allow customers to stream movies on their cell phones.   This would be a great idea considering that people have their cell phones all the time. With larger cell phone screens, customers would be able to stream movies from anywhere including in the subways, bus stations and even at workplaces. Viewing could be per subscription or pay-per-view (Clark et al. 2013). Another strategic move would be to partner with airline companies in order to implement a blue box program at airports such as the Redboxes at McDonalds (Jordan 2011). The blue box program would enable travelers to pick up a movie at one airport and to return it to another airport or blockbuster store. Further, the company should focus on strengthening customer relationship management by implementing a business strategy that maintains relevant value across all its customer groupings and introducing new customer proposition initiatives that would provide them with an edge over their competitors (Afuah 2009). Additionally, Blockbuster needs to implement an ERP system that will enable it to track their inventories. The system can be implemented incrementally from one region to another. This will reduce the time and duplications that the company currently has, thereby increasing efficiency. Currently, for customers to check out their movies from different blockbusters, they are required to register with each store individually.   Given that the ERP system integrates data and allows for sharing of information across multiple departments, this may benefit the company through quicker processing of orders and faster shipments. . Whilst recognizing the need to realign business process with IT, the company should not to lose sight of its in-store operations. Customers of today have become savvier and are increasingly taking charge of their own shopping experience (Deloitte 2011). Retail stores must equally evolve to become part of the complex relationship between the retailer and customer by providing new ways of experiencing breadth and depth of range (Deloitte 2011). In-store theatre and a touch and feel experience around the product item should be able to sway more consumers back to shopping in high streets. Provision of personalized services and guided shopping experience should equally encourage more consumers to go back for rental services from the stores. Critique of contemporary strategic management research and practice But while strategic thinking and change management has a greater role to play in resuscitating high street retail stores, such practices are not always successful. For example, while the ERP system may increase the efficiency and effectiveness of management decisions, failure of such systems may adversely impact on the organization resulting in cost overruns and supply chain problems (Morgan Smith 2002). Moreover, a strategy formulation that positions a firm in a niche may narrow the firm’s perspective (Mintzberg et al., 1995). That is, such a strategy may overlook opportunity if they are only concentrating on a certain group of market. Another criticism is that strategic planning systems are designed as top-down planning systems and as such strategic decisions are only relegated to top management (Morgan Smith 2002). This implies that the planning systems serve to fulfill only the goals and interests of the top management and not that of the organization. Strategic management is based on rational decision making. But because most of the time we have incomplete information, fully rational decisions may not be possible and change process may result in adverse effects (Jofre 2011). Hence whilst change management may be intended at increasing the firms adaptability, structures developed to promote rationality may have opposite effect (Jofre 2011). Nonetheless, it is clear that high street retailers need to realign their business processes to meet demands of the changing business environment. Conclusion There is no doubt that the past few years have seen a crisis as major high street chains such as Blockbusters, Jessops, JJB sport, and Comet among many others go into administration. The collapse of well-known retailers into receivership is a clear indication of a declining fortune of Britains high streets. All these retailers which have gone into administration do share certain commonalities. They all tend to have a significant number of stores and have all had difficulty adapting to the changing business environment and retail habits. For these retailers to continue to thrive in the industry, they must reinvent and realign themselves to the needs of the external environment. For example, Blockbuster needs to realign its business processes with IT and use it in their favour. The company should adopt a click and brick strategy. That is, the company must embrace online opportunities without losing sight of its in-store operations. The company could also form alliances with cell phone companies to allow customers to stream movies on their cell phones. The company may as well partner with airlines and implement a blue box programs at the airports such as the Redboxes at McDonald. The company may also implement ERP systems to increase their efficiency and effectiveness of management decisions. Its retail stores must also evolve and should be able to provide customers with new ways of experiencing breadth and depth. In-store theatre and a touch and feel experience around the product item should be able to sway more consumers back to shopping in high streets. Provision of personalized services and guided shopping experience should equally encourage more consumers to go back for rental services from the stores. Reference Afuah, A., 2009. Strategic innovation: new game strategies for competitive advantage. University of Michigan. NewYork: Routledge publishers Anon 2013. A strategy life-cycle: Blockbuster. [Viewed on 22nd May 2013] available from http://strategydynamics.com/info/blockbusters-strategy.aspx Anon, 2013. The death of the high street or the birth of a new kind of retailer? [Viewed on 19th May 2013] available from enterprisenation.com/blog/the-death-of-the-high-street-or-the-birth-of-a-new-kind-of-retailer/ Janjua, A., 2012. Make it a blockbuster night. Blockbuster Carr, A., 2010. Blockbuster CEO, Jim Keyes, on competition from Apple, Netflix, Nintendo,  and Redbox. [Viewed on 19th May 2013] available from fastcompany.com/1656502/an-interview-with-blockbuster-ceo-jim-keyes-part-ii Clark, M., McKelvey, L., Robinson, B., Sampson-Rasberry, S., 2013. Blockbuster analysis. [Viewed on 20th May 2013] available from http://laurenmckelvey.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/blockbuster-analysis/ Deloitte, 2011. The changing face of retail. The store of the future: the new role of the store in a multichannel environment. Deloitte LLP. Ferrell, O.C. and Hartline, M., 2007. Marketing strategy. 4th edition. Cengage   Learning publishers Fryman, 2010. Transitioning business models: Are there any  businesses that successfully transitioned from brick-and-mortar to completely online? [Viewed on 19th May 2013] available from http://ask.metafilter.com/167587/Transitioning-business-models Hawkes, S., 2011. Jane Norman is high street fashion victim. The Sun. [viewed on 18th May 2013] available from thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/money/3663189/Fashion-chain-Jane-Norman-becomes-the-latest-high-street-casualty.html Jofre, S., 2011. Strategic management: the theory and practice of strategy in (business) organizations. University of Denmark Jordan, A., 2011. The Effects of Netflix and Blockbuster Strategies on Firm Value. Claremont McKenna College Kalakota, R., 2011. ‘Brick, Click and Mobile: multi-channel strategies for satisfying your customers’. In: Mbusiness: the race to mobility. [viewedd on 20th May 2013] available from www.ebstrategy.com Konsynski, B.R., 1993. ‘Strategic control in the extended enterprise’. IBM Systems Journal, vol.32 (1), pp. 111-142 Miller, Y., 2010. Blockbuster analysis. [Viewed on 19th May 2013] available from keeparticles.com/blockbuster-analysis_a13497.htm Minton, A., Skelton, D., Sennett, R., Umunna, C. and Jones, E., 2013. How can we save the street? The Guardian. [viewed on 18th May 2013] available from guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/15/how-can-we-save-high-street Mintzberg, H., Quinn, J.B. and Ghoshal, S. 1995. The Strategy Process (European Edition), London : Prenctice-Hall. Morgan, N. and Smith, E., 2002. Contemporary issues in strategic management. Kagiso publishers Pettigrew, A.M., Homas, H. and Whittington, R., 2001. Handbook of strategy and management. Sage publications Porter, M. 1979. ‘How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy’, Harvard Business Review, vol.57 (2): 37-145. Shrivastava, P., 1986. ‘Is strategic management ideological?’ Journal of Management, vol.12 (3), 367-377 Todnem, R., 2005. ‘Organizational change management: a critical review’. Journal of Change Management, vol.5 (4), 369-380 Watkis, N., 2013. What can marketers learn from the surge of high street store closures? [Viewed on the 19th May 2013] available from mycustomer.com/topic/marketing/what-can-marketers-learn-high-street-store-closures/161721

Analysis of Consumer Behaviour in Relation to the Product - services

Purchasing an important car like Austin Mini Cooper can be afforded best by the lavish mod-con segment of people. According to the theory of reasoned action, prudent traditionalists can be considered as the least likely consumers for the product. According to the theory of reasoned action, the product can be brought by people from middle to higher income group (Cohen, Prayag & Moital, 2014). A country which has higher GDP and the lifestyle of the people is very privileged can easily afford the product or car like Austin Mini Cooper. Thus, for people belonging to a progressive state can very conveniently afford the product. The most likely buyers for going to a local cafe for the regular breakfast and coffee are the group of progressive cosmopolitan. The least likely buyers who would go to local cafe for breakfast and coffee on a regular basis are the prudent traditionalist. In accordance with the factors such as the concern regarding limiting everyday's expenditure by people affects the buyer behaviour of the customer (East, Wright & Vanhuele, 2013).   A state where the people are more progressive and the lifestyle is very much hectic, people do not have time to prepare their own breakfast and have the habit of rushing for work. In those scenarios, the people of the state would prefer to have regular coffee and breakfast on a daily basis at a local cafe. The most likely buyer or consumer who would join a gym and fitness centre includes the progressive cosmopolitan as these sections of people prefer to accept progressive things in life and love to remain updated with the lifestyle. For this section of consumers, the social factors play an important role it eh buying behaviour (Foxall, 2014). These would include the perception of the society towards their outlook regarding their health and fitness in order to always be presentable in the social gatherings. The least likely group of consumers regarding this subject are the anti-establishment firebrand. This tribe of people does not need a life that is organized or predictable. For them, the psychological behaviour comes into play while buying the service or product as they basically do not care what people think of them or their appearances. Therefore, these sections of people have the least possibility to go to the gym for their fitness (Horner & Swarbrooke, 2016). The most likely consumer for buying beers from the local bottle shop and watching footie at home would include the anti-establishment firebrand. According to the motivation need theory, this section of the Australians find their needs to be fulfilled by enjoying their beers in their home environment and they do not consider faring well with other people. Thus, they would enjoy having their own space with their sort of relaxation and entertainment in their own way without any outside interference (Schiffman, et al., 2013). The least likely tribe to buy beers from a local shop and watching footie at home is the lavish mod-con as these groups of people will look forward to maintaining their social status and image by being in the finer places and situations. Thus, they will not opt for going to shop for beer at a local shop rather would opt to go to high-class clubs. In this case, the social factors play an important role in the buying behaviour of the lavish mod-con tribe (Schà ¼tte & Ciarlante, 2016). The most likely consumer tribe who would order food online through the providers like Panda Food or Menu log, etc are the progressive cosmopolitan as they prefer exploring changes and privileges. They relish the initiatives and facilities that they can get.   while the least likely tribe to farewell regarding online food ordering through various services are the ambitious savers as they watch every spending and expenditure who would prefer to prepare their own food in order to save money (Solomon, Russell-Bennett & Previte, 2013). In this case of ambitious savers, their behaviour towards saving money is affecting their decision regarding not buying food through online ordering. For the services like installing renewable energy like solar panels in the houses, the most likely consumer base would be ambitious savers as they would prefer to save energy and opt for renewable sources of energy in order to save expenditures. The psychological  Ã‚   factors along with the   Maslow hierarchy need theory is having a significant role in the buying behaviour of the ambitious savers as their needs regarding the obtainment of energy along with saving money, both are being satisfied (Wikstrà ¶m, et al., 2014). The least likely consumers group for availing the renewable energy like solar panels are the lavish mod-on as they do not think regarding the minimizing expenditures. The social conditioning factors play an important role for the lavish tribe as they need to have the best of luxuries and therefore, would not consider the ways to minimize energy and money use. The most likely consumer base for buying home ware products at DIY hardware stores like Bunnings are the activist egalitarians as their psychological factors relating to the traditions dominate their decision making of purchase (Schà ¼tte & Ciarlante, 2016). They are not impressed by the luxuries around them and would rather opt for buying products that they require from the DIY hardware stores. The least likely consumer base for buying products from the DIY stores is the lavish mod-con. Shopping at Big W would have the progressive cosmopolitan the most as they embrace multiculturalism and love to be around the multiculturalism spaces.   The least likely consumer base who would opt to shop at Big W is the disillusioned pessimists. The psychological factors play an important role in their buying behaviour as they have pessimist feelings regarding everything (Wikstrà ¶m, et al., 2014). They would not appreciate the offers that would be available at the store. The most likely consumer base for availing food services at fast food restaurants like McDonalds and KFC are the progressive cosmopolitan on which their psychological belief regarding availing all the privileges and services that a city has to offer them. These people believe in embracing every aspect of a progressive state. the least likely consumer base to avail the food services at fast food restaurants like KFC   and McDonalds are the ambitious savers who would have the their sense of saving money to consider which influences theory buying behaviour. Playing a poker machine at our local RSL or League's club on a regular basis will attract a consumer base like the lavish mod-con as their social and psychological factors to have the best and refined things and luxuries of life would attract them to have this privilege (Horner & Swarbrooke, 2016). The least likely consumer base for the service would be ambitious saver who would not prefer spending their money on these luxuries which would not let them gain anything tangible in return. Cohen, S.A., Prayag, G. and Moital, M., 2014. Consumer behaviour in tourism: Concepts, influences and opportunities.  Current Issues in Tourism,  17(10), pp.872-909. East, R., Wright, M. and Vanhuele, M., 2013.  Consumer behaviour: applications in marketing. Sage. Foxall, G.R., 2014.  Consumer Behaviour (RLE Consumer Behaviour): A Practical Guide  (Vol. 3). Routledge. Horner, S. and Swarbrooke, J., 2016.  Consumer behaviour in tourism. Routledge. Schiffman, L., O'Cass, A., Paladino, A. and Carlson, J., 2013.  Consumer behaviour. Pearson Higher Education AU. Schà ¼tte, H. and Ciarlante, D., 2016.  Consumer behaviour in Asia. Springer. Solomon, M.R., Russell-Bennett, R. and Previte, J., 2013.  Consumer behaviour: Buying, having, being. Pearson Australia. Wikstrà ¶m, F., Williams, H., Verghese, K. and Clune, S., 2014. The influence of packaging attributes on consumer behaviour in food-packaging life cycle assessment studies-a neglected topic.  Journal of Cleaner Production,  73, pp.100-108.

Black reparations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Black reparations - Essay Example The central claims and organising and legal principles of the reparations movement are laid out in the Black Manifesto. The Manifesto is premised on the historical fact that the United States was constitutionally founded on slavery and that the persistence of racial inequality and injustice in American society is derived from slavery. The Manifesto articulates the legal principle for reparations for African Americans. According to Wade Henderson, Executive Director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, this principle affirms that for every wrong there is a remedy, and ... that remedy is not extinguished by time itself, particularly when the manifestations of the problem are current day and visible to all1. Judiciously, the Manifesto does not specify how to assess the damage for reparations, calling for congressional hearings to determine the basis for compensation. While the Manifesto implicates the US government as a principal benefactor and enforcer of slavery, it intentionally does not specify the form or forms of reparations, except to call for the establishment of a 'private trust', which may imply financial as well as other forms of restitution. Mazrui has delineated three categories of reparations considered during his membership of the Group of Eminent Persons. The Group was established by the Org anisation for African Unity (OAU) in 1992 to address reparations in the larger context of African slavery and colonisation. The categories, broadly defined, are 'capital transfer', 'skill transfer' and 'empowerment'. The first of the three is self-evident, implying financial compensation; the second concerns the acquisition of skills and presumably knowledge to compensate for the deprivation and underdevelopment caused by slavery and colonisation; the third, 'empowerment', calls for the apportionment to Africa of 'out of proportion power' in institutions like the World Bank and for veto authority in the Security Council of the United Nations. Within these three categories, reparations can take several forms. Historical context The call for reparations in the US is not of recent vintage. On his match through Confederate territory in 1865, General William Tecumseh Sherman issued Special Field Order No. 15 on 16 January which reserved land largely in the Sea Islands and on the South Carolina and Georgia coasts for the settlement of freed blacks. That year, nearly 40,000 former slaves settled on 400,000 acres in the 'Sherman Reservation ( Levitt, 1997). Although Sherman (and his contemporaries who advocated land distribution) did not define this as reparations, he ordered that each family of ex-slaves be given not more than forty acres of tillable land' and 'subject to the approval of the President of the United States, a possessory title in writing ( Matsuda, 1987). However, the terms of the land distribution were unclear. Was the federal government leasing or giving title of the land to the ex-slaves When the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Land (aka the Freedmen's Bureau) was established in March 1865, Congress authorised it to lease confiscated or abandoned lands to former slaves who would have the option to 'purchase the land and receive such titles thereto as the United States can convey'. But President Johnson undermined the Bureau's efforts by ordering the restoration of property to the former Confederates he had pardoned. In

Arabic Knowledge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Arabic Knowledge - Essay Example The knowledge of the Greeks, which was passed down to the Romans, would have been doomed to oblivion. However, due to the Arabs’ study of Greek knowledge and their distance from the effects of Rome’s downfall, many of the Greek studies in the humanities, sciences and mathematics were saved. In the study of humanities, the Arabs were able keep texts of philosophy in reference to renowned Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle. Arab scholars such as Ibn-Sina or Avicenna and Ibn Rushd or Averroes were able to preserve the philosophical teachings of Aristotle and Plato with their own understanding and interpretation of their philosophical concepts. This led to the development on Neoplatonism and Aristotelianism, which later on was adopted by Christian monk-philosophers like Augustine of Hippo and Thomas of Aquinas. Western philosophy was possible due to the Arab preservation of Greek classical philosophy as the Roman Empire dissolved by the barbarian invasions and

The Mammy :: essays research papers

The Mammy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Irish tale depicts the life of a woman named Agnes Browne. The cards have fallen more than once for her, but with the love of her 7 children and faith, Agnes never losses her strength. The author, Brendan O’Carroll, adds elements of humor, tragedy, and love to this novel, which makes it hard to stop reading. Follow me as I talk about The Mammy and how her culture plays a part in her everyday life in the late 1960’s, in Dublin, Ireland.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The book begins with the death of Agnes Browne’s husband Nicholas Browne, whom gets hit by a car. Agnes is now a widow and single parent to 7 children (6 boys and 1 girl), whom all range in ages 14-3. All of her children attend strict Catholic schools. Although her oldest son wants to drop out of school to help his mother support the household, she wants him to stay and continue. Agnes does not want him to end up like his father was, an abusive drunk, who worked as a janitor for more than 15 years. Though Nicholas Browne beat Agnes, he was never to touch the children. She was very protective of her children and everyone in Dublin knew it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Now Agnes has to raise the children with the money she gets from the social service office, her stall where she sales her fresh produce everyday, and her Catholic belief. Agnes has a best friend by the name of Marion Monks. The two are very close and do everything together. They go to the local pub all the time and gossip and drink alcohol. The pub they hang out in everyone knew one another and were all very friendly, the neighborhood is very tight. With her very busy life Agnes does find time to daydream about her favorite singer named Cliff Diamond. She loves to listen to his records and relax. Agnes daydreams of him all the time wishing she could have one dance with him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Then tragedy hits Agnes once again when Marion dies of cancer. She is saddened by the sudden death of her best friend, but she has such strong strength, she knows Marion is looking down on her. At the end of the book Agnes’ dream comes true when she is surprised with a visit from Cliff Diamond and looks up in the sky to thank her friend Marion for watching over her.

Overcoming Prejudices and Self Acceptance-the Color Purple

Overcoming Prejudices for Self Acceptance Throughout Alice Walker’s novel, The Color Purple, the main character, Celie, reveals all of the hardships she has endured during her life. Celie confides in her younger sister, Nettie, and God to express the way she feels in certain situations. As the story progresses, Celie eventually finds her voice and breaks away from all the men who oppressed her during her life. For the duration of the novel, prejudice becomes a reoccurring theme. Not only does Celie struggle with the external prejudices of sexism and racism, but she also struggles with the internal prejudices toward herself.By using Celie’s struggles as an example, Walker teaches the reader that one must overcome prejudices in order to accept themselves. Sexism becomes one of the main external struggles throughout the novel. With the use of the name â€Å"Mr. __† for Celie’s husband, Albert, Walker shows the reader Celie’s growing resentment towards him. The use of this name â€Å"suggests fearful effacement of an identity too dangerous to reveal† (Heglar). She begins to show bitterness when she says, â€Å"I scurry bout, doing this, doing that. Mr. __ sit by the door gazing here and there† (Walker 43). Celie takes the traditional roll of caring for the house while Mr. _ sits by and tends to his own needs and not the needs of the family. Celie’s dislike towards him grows throughout the novel as he becomes more selfish. Sexism occurs again with the use of gender roles in Harpo and Sofia’s relationship. Sofia represents a strong woman who does not let men dominate her. She and Harpo struggle with these roles throughout the novel. Sophia takes on a more masculine roll and Celie describes their arguments as â€Å"fighting like two mens† (Walker 38). Harpo believes that he should beat Sofia because she does not act like Celie in the sense that she does not give in to his every command.Finally, the use of gender violence is passed down through the generations. Gerri Bates stated that â€Å"The act of gender violence is almost handed down from father to son† (97). When the conflicts between Sofia and Harpo begin, Mr. __ encourages Harpo to beat Sofia so that she will give in to his ways. He uses Celie as an example because she never fights back and remains very obedient. With the use of sexism throughout the novel, Walker shows the reader all of the struggles Celie faced during this time period and how she overcame them. Racism also becomes a major external struggle during this novel.During this time period, whites embodied the image of higher class citizens. Many of the women in this novel aspire to look like white women in order to become more sophisticated. The white women of this time period wore an array of bright and vibrant colors that stood out from the rest. Celie describes the barrier between the races when she says, â€Å"Us dress Squeak like she a white woma n, only her clothes patch† (Walker 95). This quotation depicts the difference between the races at the time, and how even though they tried to bring Squeak up in society, they couldn’t quite reach that level because of their race.The role of racism occurs again when the mayor’s wife treats Sofia’s children like animals. While walking around town one day, the mayor’s wife approaches Sofia and her children and begins petting them like animals and saying â€Å"and such strong white teef† (Walker 87); she looks down on the family because of their race and treats them like animals. This again builds the wall between the races and shows that the white race believed that they were superior to the black race. The theme of racism contributes to the plot again with the roles of blacks and whites within society.When Sofia begins to work for the mayor and his wife, she is discriminated against solely for her race. This act is seen when she says, â€Å"H ave you even seen a white person and a colored sitting side by side in a car, when one of ’em isn’t showing the other how to drive or clean it? † (Walker 99). This quotation demonstrates the separation between the races during this time period. The mayor’s family â€Å"continually expect her to behave according to their cultural representations of the black mother† (Selzer). Whites and blacks could not create friendships and could not talk unless it was for business purposes.The roles of races play a major role in understanding the attitudes during this time period. With the understanding of the roles that the blacks and whites played in society, one can infer that Celie had to overcome more struggles than what she had originally dealt with in order to blossom and become herself. In ultimately finding herself at the end of the novel, Celie had to overcome the internal prejudices against herself. With the use of Shug Avery in the novel, Walker displa ys the hardships Celie must face with her new found sexuality.Because this relationship uses different and new feelings it â€Å"evokes so profound an erotic awakening that Celie believes she was â€Å"still a virgin† prior to it† (Hankinson). When Celie begins to have feelings for Shug, they start out innocent and then become more serious. She describes a night that they spent together when she says, â€Å"Me and Shug sound asleep. Her back to me, my arms round her waist† (Walker 116). Celie begins to allow her feelings with Shug to become reality and shows that she does not have the shy personality that everyone thinks she does.Celie breaks out of her inner prejudices again when she confides in her sister, Nettie. Celie begins to yell at the dinner table one night when she could no longer take the verbal abuse from Mr. __ and stated â€Å"You took my sister Nettie away from me, I say. And she was the only person love me in the world† (Walker 202). Celie believed that she could only confide in Nettie and God during difficult times, but she began to realize that all of her friendships would help her out in the end to become a strong, independent woman.Lastly, the growth of Celie throughout the novel is shown through all of the women that help her along the journey in becoming herself. Although Celie tries to discover herself, â€Å"Shug Avery and Sophia Butler provide the major alternative influences that allow Celie to grow and develop† (Heglar). All of the female relationships throughout the novel help Celie to realize that women do not need men to control their lives. She also realizes that women can become self-sufficient and brave without the help from other people.With help from all the women in the novel, Celie discovers herself and comes to realize that the support of a man is not necessary in the journey to happiness. By using Celie’s difficulties as a model, Alice Walker teaches the reader that self acceptanc e comes over time and that one must overcome prejudices in order to find themselves. During the course of the novel, Celie struggles with both internal and external prejudices. In the end she conquers them all and becomes the person that she truly wants to be. She realizes this when she says â€Å"I am so happy. I got love, I got work, I got money, friends and time† (Walker 218).Walker teaches the reader that no matter what other people think, what truly matters is the beauty within and being able to handle one’s self in the worst of situations. Works Cited Bates, Gerri. Alice Walker A Critical Companion. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press: 2005. Print. Hankinson, Stacie Lynn. â€Å"From Monotheism to Pantheism: Liberation from Patriarchy in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. † Midwest Quarterly. 38. 3. Gale, 2003. Literary Resource Center. Web. 1 Feb. 2011. Heglar, Charles J. â€Å"Named and Nameless: Alice Walker's Pattern of Surnames in The Color Pu rple. ANQ 13. 1 (Winter 2000): 38-41. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Janet Witalec. Vol. 167. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Literature Resource Center. Web. 1 Feb. 2011. inchell, Donna Haisty. Alice Walker. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1992. Print. Selzer, Linda. â€Å"Race and Domesticity in The Color Purple. † African American Review 29. 1 (Spring 1995): 67-82. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Janet Witalec. Vol. 167. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Literature Resource Center. Web. 1 Feb. 2011. Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Harcourt, Inc. 2003. Print.