Monday, August 24, 2020

The door to December Review Essay Example

The entryway to December Review Paper Exposition on The entryway to December Senior member Koontz captivated me from the main page. Sometime in the past I was unable to tear myself away from the books. They constrained me to develop cold with loathsomeness, not permitted to rest around evening time since I frequently couldn't go into the arms of Morpheus, not having perused another frightfulness story of this American. What's more, the start of our relationship with the book entryways in Decemberâ ». recognition with crafted by Dean Koontz, and explicitly with this work I owe my colleague, be that as it may, she didn't speculate. Once at a workshop on altering fiction prepodsha asked what book currently peruses all of us. It was then that I previously heard the new name Dean Koontz On a similar night, following school went to the book shop.. Glozhit interest: How would I be able to, a bibliophile with the experience and the first occasion when I found out about this creator ?! Complete mayhem! . On a rack, as though by request of creation stood Dean Koontz entryways in December. I snatched the book and hurried to trade out expectation of the delight of perusing. Furthermore, I was not baffled! Be that as it may, it was a significant long time and now it is hard to recollect what sort of feelings overpowered me when I shut the last page. In any case, one thing I will always remember as I was upset for the poor little Melanie, over which so mortified The book is simply brilliant. Difficult to put down! We will compose a custom article test on The entryway to December Review explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom exposition test on The entryway to December Review explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom exposition test on The entryway to December Review explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer From that point forward, Dean Koontz for quite a while has gotten one of my preferred creators. I like insane, I began purchasing his books, which were many. From that point forward, quite a long while have passed. My disposition to crafted by this creator isn't changed. I keep on perusing his book, which I extremely, much. Despite the fact that not successive, and substituting with other most loved essayists, which in my rundown a great deal.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

The Co-Operative Bank IMC Free Essays

string(171) key message the bank needs to pass on to its intended interest group is that it is a qualities driven bank that follows the rules in a financial scene that is thought of as the opposite. Official Summary The Co-employable Bank Is New Sealant’s just bank that Is possessed by its clients. In the past essentially a Building Society, the bank Is presently hoping to develop its client base as a completely enlisted bank through an assortment of roads Including speaking to the tertiary understudy advertise. This report centers around the Integrated showcasing interchanges required for precisely focusing on the tertiary market. We will compose a custom paper test on The Co-Operative Bank IMC or on the other hand any comparable theme just for you Request Now Right off the bat, It plots a circumstance investigation including a PEST examination, a contender examination, and the objective market and the situating of the Co-employable Bank with respect to its rivals. The correspondence methodology looks carefully into the banks current interchanges contributions. This investigation centers around how the organizations message consolidates with its with the symbolism utilized in its promoting. The media system diagrams how the organization has utilized mindfulness, widespread and feeling procedures in its interchanges to focus on the tertiary market. Goals are then laid out to give extension to the banks future MIMIC exercises. At long last, the report gives suggestions (Including individual selling, advancement and advertising) and enhancements to enable the bank to arrive at Its destinations In the following a year. As innovation is continually transforming it is significant that banks are proceeding to refresh and cause changes to their computerized stages to keep on to be serious in the market. 1. 2. 4 Environment - Environmental components don't have a monstrous effect over the Co-usable bank perpetually environmental change have some impact on the accomplishment of New Zealand organizations capacities to spare and administration credits. Especially as New Zealand is a horticultural based society and environmental change upsets cultivating forms. 2 Competitor Analysis In the tertiary financial part there are 5 principle players that the Bank must rival. Every ha their own cabinet anyway the fact of the matter is the base bundle each bank offers is fundamentally the same as and as far as costs, the banks offer understudies free or generally free banking †See Appendix 1. On this each bank separates itself by offering additional administrations that are alluring to the understudy way of life. 2. 1 ASP, just as a generally free base bundle, offers understudies free fries at McDonald’s each time they utilize their card. This â€Å"gimmick† is appealing to understudies as it implies offer understudies an enormous overdraft and a txt when assets are coming up short. 2. ANZA Ann.’s tertiary bundle is maybe the least â€Å"gimmicky’ of the huge banks. They offer open branches and Tam’s nearby as they know an understudy is regularly time poor. 2. 3 BENZ Ban’s Younger is known to be very imaginative and in line with a tertiary audience’s inclination for good, straightforward website compos ition. Their place of contrast is an industry driving web application that makes taking care of accounts, something that understudy have incredible trouble doing, each straightforward. 2. 4 Westward Wastepaper’s Student Pace, verifiably, has utilized tricks, for example, a free $25 upon join and a free pizza to connect with the tertiary crowd to save money with them. In the drawn out they likewise offer a â€Å"save and win† plot that allures understudies to manage an account with them to win cash on target they decide to spare. 2. 5 Kickback has maybe the most thorough financial bundle. Their additional administrations incorporate programming to help deal with your cash, no bonus money change, free utilization of ANZA Tams nearby and free txt banking. This shows they are particularly on top of the prerequisites of being an understudy in New Zealand which underpins Kickbacks fundamental draw card of the bank being a New Zealand possessed bank. 2. Co-employable Bank The Co-usable Banks understudy bundle is by differentiate the least extensive. They offer a top loan fee of 5% anyway their fundamental cabinet, in any event, for understudies, is as yet the way that they are New Zealand claimed like Kickback as well as possessed by the New Slanderer that save money with them. Development and Maturity of the Industry New Zealand banks have appre ciated solid development in loaning since the 2008 worldwide downturn. Benefits be that as it may, are down due to â€Å"increasing administrative weights and solid rivalry in the loaning market† (KEMP, 2013). Operational Revenue and Profitability At the finish of 2013 money related year, the bank recorded benefits before refund at $mm (The Co-usable Bank, 2013). $1 m of this was conveyed to clients. As at 31st December 2013 working income came to $4. Mm (The Co-employable Bank, 2013). 5 Strategic Goals The Co-employable Bank has a general vital spotlight on â€Å"achieving long haul refillable development, in view of co-usable standards (The Co-usable Bank, 2013). 6 Target Marketing The Co-employable Bank focuses on those in the tertiary portion who are propelled by â€Å"good values†. These understudies, for the most part 18-25, will be the individuals who are careful about the other large banks and the qualities they represent. They will comprise of understudies who are over different banks â€Å"gimmicks† and would prefer to see their cash getting some â€Å"goodness† as opposed to get free fries, for instance, from a disputable global. They will have a strong â€Å"student† way of life with a low salary, low outgoings and will almost not have any wards. 7 Market Positioning contenders attempt to exceed each other with cunning showcasing and serious rates they are, contrasted with different businesses, scarcely discernable from one another. As appeared in Figure 1, the Co-usable Bank possesses a place that is moderately isolated from its rivals as far as saw cost and on a qualities based investigation. Figure 1 †Positioning of New Zealand Banks This position unmistakably exhibits to their intended interest group that they are separate from their rivals as an option in contrast to banking in framework where banks are driven y benefits for their (regularly abroad) financial specialists instead of by the estimations of and benefits for their New Zealand proprietors/clients. Segment 2 8 Communication Strategy Since the banks rebind in 2012 the bank has concentrated its interchanges on improving low mindfulness. It is led by the message â€Å"driven by your thriving, not our profit†; this center will enable the bank to accomplish its objective to twofold its clients inside 5 years (Stopper’s, 2014). The key message the bank needs to pass on to its intended interest group is that it is a qualities driven bank that follows the rules in a financial scene that is thought of as the inverse. You read The Co-Operative Bank IMC in classification Papers They utilize a brand picture procedure to pass on that in spite of the fact that they can face determined challenges to serve their client proprietors, they need their crowd to realize they need their exercises to be straightforward and â€Å"above the line†. The primary image utilized by the bank is the endlessness sign that comprises of the 2 g’s in Co-usable Bank, known as the â€Å"prosperity loop†-See figure 2. The circle is helpfully removed from the banks name and represents its objective of making success, not benefit, between the bank and its client proprietors with the advantages streaming between the two elements. This image partners potential clients with the brand and its targets of â€Å"being about shared advantage and genuine maintainability. (The Co-usable Bank, 2014, p. 2) Figure 2-The Prosperity Loop The circle is recreated however all types of media publicizing further demanding to its clients a continuous feeling of commonality and backing. In print media, the circle feature type treatment overlays both the heads of clients or their youngsters and connections them to the banks message, interfacing a potential customer’s feeling to the notice. The circle could so be seen to imagery an idea bubble, further embodying the banks message. See figure 3 Figure 3-Print Advertisement This ad takes lines from thought administration promoting as it shows a youthful, apparently well off man considering the banks separation procedure. As this man speaks to a way of life understudies seek to take an interest in and the objective market would now be able to connect him to the Co-employable bank. In principle, understudies will be bound to contemplate, and conceivably Join the bank. This connections back to the banks objective of multiplying its client base in five years and helps the bank on their approach to accomplish it. Another brand affiliation utilized is the organizations shading palette. The palette is unmistakably new and centers around a splendid green shading †see figure 4. This connects the brand with being new and unmistakable just as with development. Characteristic setting. This is essential to the brands picture as it considers New Slanderer feelings as a â€Å"clean, green† country and may enable the objective to market to connect with the bank as an augmentation of their nationalism. Additionally the blend of the shading green as an image of characteristic development and cash is an impression of the banks sees on manageable banking. Further, it relates this plan to the Co-usable Banks brand ND fortifies to tertiary understudies that their standards will bring â€Å"growth† to their â€Å"money’ in a supportable manner. This is especially applicable to the objective market who right now have low earnings yet potential to development their value in the following barely any years. For them it implies the bank is their ally and needs to work with them to develop their cash in a supportable manner. Figure 4-Color Palette 9 Media Strategy and Appropriation The organization, doing its mindfulness procedure for development, utilized an expansive blend of media mediums including a

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for PTSD

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for PTSD September 29, 2019 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes & Risk Factors Treatment Living With In Children Getty/Photographers choice/Peter Dazeley A number of people have had success in using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you are struggling with symptoms of PTSD, ACT for PTSD may be helpful. Learn about why this therapy can help and the five goals of treatment. Treatment Options for PTSD The Rationale Behind Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for PTSD From an early age, we learn to label some feelings as bad and others as good. For example, sadness and anxiety are viewed as bad or negative emotions  and happiness and joy as good or positive ones. Its understandable, then, that we try to have a few painful feelings, and as many positive ones, as possible.  In particular, when we feel emotional pain, we tend to try to get away from it, but this form of avoidance usually doesnt work well in the long run. Avoidance doesnt work because emotional pain is a part of life. We cant really avoid it. Everyone at some point or another has painful feelings such as sadness, anxiety, or anger.   How we choose to respond to painful feelings can be the difference between getting through the pain or keeping it going and making it worse. In fact, trying to avoid or escape painful thoughts and feelings may be what leads to suffering and psychological disorders.  For example, a person whos lived through a traumatic event may be constantly flooded by memories of the trauma as well as by anxiety and fear. As a result, the person may try to get temporary relief through drugs or alcohol (self-medicating.) That may work in the short run, but in the long run, the alcohol or drugs will do nothing to relieve the pain. Instead, the pain is likely to get worseâ€"and introduce a host of other problems. What Can Be Done? ACT is a behavioral treatment based on the idea that suffering comes not from feeling emotional pain but from our attempts to avoid that pain. ACT is used to treat PTSD and other mental health disorders. The overall goal of ACT is to help people be both open and willing to experience their inner feelings while they focus attention, not on trying to escape or avoid pain (because this is impossible), but on living a meaningful life. The 5 Goals of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for PTSD and other mental health disorders can be broken down into five goals. If you choose to have this therapy and pursue these goals, heres what you can expect to learn and achieve: Recognizing That Trying to Escape Emotional Pain Will Never Work ACT therapists call this goal creative hopelessness. Its met when you see that all the things youve been trying to do to avoid emotional pain do not work, and there will probably never be an effective way of completely removing emotional pain from your life. Understanding That Control Is the Problem The second goal of ACT is your understanding that your problems come not from the emotional pain itself but from your attempts to control or avoid it. In fact, from your ACT for PTSD, you may learn that trying to control emotional pain has the opposite effect: Besides potentially making the pain worse, you may spend so much time and energy trying to avoid it that you have none left for pursuing positive things in your life. Viewing yourself as Separate From Your Thoughts Our thoughts are very believable. A person who has experienced a traumatic event may have thoughts of being a bad person or broken or damaged. However, although these thoughts may feel true, they are only thoughts. They are not a reflection of what is really true. A third goal in ACT for PTSD is for people to learn to take a step back from their thoughts and not buy into them as truth. A thought is just a thought. It is not a reflection of who the person really is. Stopping the Struggle At this stage during your ACT for PTSD, youll be encouraged to stop your tug-of-war with your thoughts and feelings. The goal is to let go of attempts to avoid or control your thoughts and feelings and, instead, to practice being both open and willing to experience thoughts and feelings for what they are and not what you think they are (for example, bad or dangerous). Committing to Action Avoiding emotional pain requires a huge amount of energy for people with PTSD. It can consume your life. As a result, you may not be placing much time or energy into living a meaningful and rewarding life. Therefore, the final goal of your ACT for PTSD is identifying areas of importance in your life (referred to as values in ACT) and increasing the time you spend doing things that are consistent with those values, no matter what emotions or thoughts may arise. For example, a person who has experienced a sexual assault may fear or feel anxious about getting into relationships again, despite valuing closeness and intimacy. In ACT, people are encouraged to engage in actions consistent with their values (for example, reconnecting with an old friend) while being open and willing to feel any anxiety that may arise as a result. Not avoiding that anxiety keeps it from getting worse, and it will be less likely to get in the way of the persons pursuit of a meaningful life. Choosing ACT Therapy for Your PTSD Many therapists now specialize in ACT therapy (see below) but there are other methods of pursuing this therapy as well. From primary care clinics to day-long group workshops, to smartphone applications, to telehealth options, there are many ways in which people with PTSD can pursue acceptance and commitment therapy. Find Help With the 9 Best Online Therapy Programs Where Can I Learn More About ACT? ACT has been found to be helpful for a number of people suffering from psychological disorders and is gaining in popularity. You can learn more about ACT, as well as therapists who specialize in ACT in your area, at the Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences website. Questions to Ask a New Therapist

Friday, May 22, 2020

How The Maya Civilization Was A Major Social Entity From...

Mesoamerica Essay The Maya civilization was a major social entity from approximately 2600 B.C.E. to 1521 C.E. The Maya civilization was never a fully unified society; it was primarily made up of numerous small states, in and around what is now known as the Yucatan Peninsula. These states, each apparently centered on a city, were ruled by individual kings. Sometimes, a stronger Maya state would dominate a weaker state and be able to exact tribute and labor from it. The development of agriculture gave rise to villages which eventually developed into larger and more complex societies. These became city states that were tied together by trade. (1, 4) The basic staples of the Maya diet were maize, beans, and squashes. These were supplemented†¦show more content†¦(2) Mayan architecture incorporated various forms of art and hieroglyphs. Pyramid temples devoted to their many deities, royal palaces, and ball courts were the most elaborate structures. Architectural styles varied by region, and were influenced by locally available construction materials, climate, topography, and the preferences of the ruling class and commoners. (3) Warfare was prevalent in the Maya world. Military campaigns were launched for a variety of reasons, including the control of trade routes and tribute, raids to capture enemies for religious rituals, up to the annihilation of an enemy state. Little is known about Maya military organization, logistics, or training. Warfare is depicted in Maya art, and tales of battle are mentioned in hieroglyphic inscriptions. Unfortunately, the inscriptions do not provide information upon the causes of war, or the form it took. (5) Political unrest, warfare and drought are believed to have been the beginning of the downfall of the Mayan people. When the Spanish arrived led by Hernan Cortes in 1521 C.E. in Central America, the diseases they brought, including smallpox, decimated the Mayan population. In addition to spreading fatal disease, the Spanish forced the Maya to convert to their religion, namely Christianity. The Spanish even destroyed the Mayan literature, which is the reason that so little of their writings are

Friday, May 8, 2020

Factors Influencing The Organic Food Market - 6312 Words

The organic food market in the US has reached new heights, with retail sales in 2010 totaling $26.6 billion; this represents a significant increase from $6.1 billion just ten years earlier (Dimitri, 2012). Organic production includes food that is grown without pesticides, chemicals, growth hormones, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Consumers, once buying mainly organic fruits and vegetables, have recently indicated a strong interest in a wide range of organic products, such as milk, eggs, packaged products, and other manufactured goods. Consumers buying behavior when purchasing organic food products can be determined or influenced by various personal and environmental factors. Personal factors relate to motivational, cognitive and affective processes in which psychosocial variables such as attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, skills and their underlying beliefs play a crucial role (Verbeke, 2008). Numerous factors associated with a person’s physical, social and econom ic environment can further encourage or inhibit behavior change (Verbeke, 2008). Product labeling and advertising can also have an impact on the consumers buying behavior of organic food products and can affect the consumers’ knowledge, attitudes, and decision making. Consumers want information to help them enjoy food, achieve a better diet, avoid allergens, or to know origin, ethical and technological conditions under which the food has been produced or processed. Personal factors such as health,Show MoreRelatedThe Value of Market Auditing Essay1211 Words   |  5 PagesAssess the value to small businesses of carrying out marketing audits. Illustrate your arguments with reference to an existing small business of your choice In this essay I will be assessing the value of Market auditing for small businesses using the firm Abel and Cole as a model. Market auditing is the means by which a company can understand how it correlates to the environment in which it operates. It is a way by which a company can identity its own pros and cons as they relate to externalRead MoreConsumer Behavior And Attitudes Of Organic Foods1295 Words   |  6 Pagespurchase organic foods†2 . Indicators that influence a consumer’s choice of whether to purchase organic foods were consistent across most studies: consumers cited health benefits, animal welfare, environmental conditions, and food safety as motivators for purchasing organic foods2,3,4,5,6,7. Alternatively, consumers cite high prices, lack of availability, skepticism toward certification boards’ approving items as organic, and cosmetic defects as reasons they may choose not to purchase organic food products6Read MoreThe Harvest Box Is An Australian Organic Foods Retailer1649 Words   |  7 Pagesexpand into either Malaysia or the Philippine’s market. This report aims to determine which nation will best suit Harvest Box; based on a series of socioeconomic, political and business-related conclusions and, from this, a weighted index. Harvest Box is an Australian organic foods retailer. Harvest Box has two primary products, each sold through two separate distribution channels; one-time organic snacks, and subscription packages. Whilst organic snacks are sold through both Australian retail chainsRead MoreThe Appraisal Of Whole Foods993 Words   |  4 Pagesappraisal of Whole Foods Markets competitive resources and capabilities yields a clear explanation as to why their currently known as the industry leader of organic foods sales. Those assets discussed separately below will help guide future strategic recommendations. Resource - Tangible Assets: †¢ Financial: WFM has amassed nearly $900 million in cash cash equilivents. With liquid assets of such magnitude, WFM is in a unique position to enhance it’s growth. †¢ Physical - Food Processing/Distribution:Read MoreWhole Foods And The Corporate Social Responsibility1137 Words   |  5 PagesPeople BUS 3306 AY 2017-T2 Unit 6 Written Assignment The company I chose to explore is Whole Foods and the corporate social responsibility (CSR) they adhere to. Corporate social responsibility, also known as CSR, means â€Å"a corporation’s initiatives to assess and take responsibility for the company’s effects on environmental and social well-being†, according to, Investopedia, (R., 2015). Whole foods are dedicated to contributing back to its people, community, and the environment while profitingRead MoreMarket Positioning : A Successful Marketing1465 Words   |  6 Pagesfirst trademark for a breakfast cereal, Quaker Oats Company has dominated the Oat meal market for over 1 century. Quaker believes that they are â€Å"Committed to uncover the power of the oat to provide families with the healthy fuel they want to help them do more of what matters.† One of the most key concepts in a successful marketing is to market positioning. In market positioning, it is ideal to be the first in a market. Studies has pr oven that the easiest way to get into a person’s mind is to be firstRead MoreAnalysis of the Western Diet and Michael Pollan ´s Point of View on the Subject1037 Words   |  4 PagesJournalist and novelist Michael Pollan writes about the trials and tribulations surrounding food in North America and raises questions regarding Western diet, which is mostly comprised of refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup and corn in general. He reiterates that chemically generated food is creating disease in North Americans; If we eliminate these factors and adopt the eating habits of less industrialized places in the world will we in our lifetime see rates of heart disease, type two diabetesRead MoreA Grocery And General Merchandise Store1362 Words   |  6 PagesRetailing is a fast-paced business that demands continuous improvement. Meijer is committed to keeping our competitive spirit strong and staying nimble and flexible to win in the marketplace. Freshness: Meijer is known for freshness. A focus on fresh food, thinking and innovation makes us better at serving our customers. Safety and health: Meijer provides a safe and healthy environment for our team members. We create a safe shopping experience for our customers and offer products and services to helpRead MoreThe Swot Analysis Of Waitrose1530 Words   |  7 PagesPESTEL Analysis of Waitrose Name Institution â€Æ' Waitrose is a chain of super-markets in United Kingdom focused on the grocery business. The organization as of 2010 had 228 retail branches only in UK making it the 6th largest retailer with a market share of 4.3% in UK (Corporate Watch, 2012). The grocery business is a major contributor to the food industry and forms the core of the retailing venture attracting many market players in UK such as Tesco, Iceland, Somerfield, Sainsbury’s, and ASDA. ThisRead MoreHeinz And Beech Nut Case Study Solution1903 Words   |  8 Pages(Labaton, 2001). The three major producers of baby food companies at the time were Gerber who still maintains a solid hold on the first place slot. Gerber has a significant presence in the baby consumer products arena, being that most companies that carry baby products typically carry Gerber baby food (Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering, 2017). The second and third place slots were held by Heinz and Beech-Nut. In an effort to secure a more solid consumer market share, Heinz decided to pursue the purchase of

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Cultural Research Interview Free Essays

string(58) " a special recognition of the first wife \(Mboya, 1986\)\." This study seeks to explore the culture of Luo community in Kenya. It is not easy to study Kenya as a culture on its own due to its multi-cultural dimension. Therefore, one can only study it from the many cultures there are. We will write a custom essay sample on Cultural Research Interview or any similar topic only for you Order Now It will explore Luo culture in various domains. The study will provide concrete examples to support the findings in each domain. It will also carry out a one-on-one interview with a Kenyan citizen and especially from Luo culture. The findings in the literature review will be compared with the data collected from the interview. This study also seeks to propose few recommendations and suggestions on applications to practice. Luo Culture in Kenya Kenyan as a multi-cultural nation has got forty two tribes with different cultures. Therefore, one can only explore certain aspects of Kenyan culture. This study narrows its scope to Luo Culture, whose community takes about 25% of the Kenyan Population hence being the third largest ethnic group (Ochieng, 2007). It is believed that this community originated from the Southern part of Sudan, getting into Kenya through Northern Uganda and settled in Nyanza Province (Ochieng, 2007). It is also believed that their migration was in search of higher and cooler regions with adequate rainfalls (Isak, 1972). Today, they are popularly referred to as River-Lake Nilotes (Ochieng, 2007). This study chooses to explore on Luo culture due to its peculiar elements. In fact, it is considered to be one of those complicated cultures in Kenya especially on the issue of â€Å"wife inheritance† (Gay, 1981). When Kenya was still under British colonialism, the Luo people managed to defend their land; more so, they played a fundamental role in fighting for Kenya’s independence. It is also worth noting that this tribe produced and continues to produce a number of scholars and other educated men and women who have attained high levels of education from prominent universities all over the world (Liyong, 1972). Luo professionals are present in most parts of Kenyan economy; for instance, they serve in business and government ministries, educational institutions as professors, doctors, engineers and lawyers. Literature Review Communication The Luo community has got three languages. Two of the languages are widely used by all other Kenyan tribes, for instance, English and Kiswahili. English originated from the British colonial era and was declared by Kenyan government as the official language while Kiswahili is the national language (Sinaiko, 1995). The indigenous language of Luo community is referred to as â€Å"Dholuo† which is commonly used at home and in their everyday conversation (Sinaiko, 1995). In their culture, naming of children relate to where they were born, the exact time of day or the day of the week. This also includes the kind of weather at that time (Ocholla, 1980). For instance, the name Akoth (female) or Okoth (male) is given when one is born during a rainy season. In general, the Luo culture names children on three formats, for instance, a Christian name like Peter or James then a second name like â€Å"Okoth† then a sir name like â€Å"Omondi† (Ocholla, 1980). Nutrition Luo community grows maize (corn), millet and sorghum. It also grows cash crops, for instance, tobacco, coffee, sugarcane and cotton. They also keep animals such as goats, sheep, poultry and cattle, which are later used to settle dowry prizes. Most importantly, fish in Luo culture means a lot; in fact, fishing is a major economic activity in Luo community (Parker, 1989). It is also worth noting that this community’s staple food consists of ugali (kuon) and fish. Ugali is prepared from maize meal mixed with boiled water until it becomes a thick porridge where fish becomes its preferred accompaniment. Additionally, the ugali food can be accompanied by green vegetables, meat or stew. Maize is a common food all over Kenya and most families grow it and sell it for a better income (Parker, 1989). Luo culture abhors foods like rice and mixture of boiled maize and beans (Mboya, 1986). But sometimes, this mixture of boiled maize and beans which they refer to as (nyoyo) is typically consumed when the community members return from a hard day of work in the fields. The nyoyo can also be eaten with tea, porridge or stir fried vegetables (Mboya, 1986). This community likes traditional beer known as busaa which is prepared during special occasions or celebrations. Normally, they mix flour and water and leave it for sometime until it turns sour after which they heat it in a big pot. Men drink from the pot using long pipes while seated and women can join them or have their share on big mugs. They also feed on a mixture of milk and blood from slaughtered animals like cows or sheep. Family Roles and Organizations The Luo culture values family life and especially the gift of children. This culture believes that children belong to the father even in cases where both parents separate (Mboya, 1986). In most cases, the father is left to take care of the children. The culture also expects men of great wealth to settle for many wives as a sign of social responsibility (Liyong, 1972). This notion is what has led to the issue of wife inheritance which is going to be explored later in this study. Once women get married they live in their husbands’ homesteads. Thereafter, married women are expected to build strong relationships between their family members and those of her husband. It is the women’s responsibility to nurture a warm and mutual relationship among all the in-laws. It is expected that married women will bear children for their husbands’ lineage (Southall, 1952). The more the wife bears more children the more she enhances her influence in the lineage of her husband. These children later take care of their interests. As indicated earlier, men pay the bridal dowry which allows women to maintain ties with their loved ones throughout their lives (Southall, 1952). Polygamy is also acceptable in the Luo culture so long as traditional practices and regulations are adhered to, for instance, a special recognition of the first wife (Mboya, 1986). You read "Cultural Research Interview" in category "Free Research Paper Samples" Normally, the husband has to separate the wives where the first wife’s house and granary are constructed behind the homestead opposite the main gate (Mboya, 1986). The rest of the wives’ houses and granaries are positioned to the right and left sides from the first wives’ premises and in the order of their marriage (Mboya, 1986). The same case applies to the sons who are given homes adjacent to the main entrance of the compound and in the order of their birth (Southall, 1952). The husband builds himself a house at the center of the compound (Southall, 1952). Luo culture believes that once the dowry has been paid in full and that the spouses have born children, divorce can no longer take place. Even if the two separate they are still considered to be married. In case the wife does not bear children, the husband can divorce her or replace her with another wife. The wife receives the blame in cases of infertility. Young girls are expected to help their mothers and their mothers’ co-wives in tilling the land owned by their fathers, brothers and paternal uncles (Ocholla, 1980). It does not matter whether the girl gets to school and attains good education she still has to help in tilling the land. On the other hand, boys and youthful men spend more time with livestock and engage in lots of social labor (Ocholla, 1980). Biocultural Ecology Luo community, just like many other communities in Kenya, consists of black people with strong physical structure. Malaria is considered to be a major killer in Luo culture. Moreover, kwashiorkor which derives from lack of enough proteins in the body, affects most children (Themes in Kenyan History, 1990). Most families do not afford to prepare a balanced diet neither do they have knowledge about nutrition and health standards (Themes in Kenyan History, 1990). In villages, preventive medicine is preferred and in fact most communities in the rural settings have clinics with medical workers. The medical workers try the best they can to help the communities maintain good sanitation, nutrition, prenatal care including other practices that can help reduce the risk of diseases (Themes in Kenyan History, 1990). Luo culture faces great challenges from HIV/Aids pandemic which has left many children orphans. Relatives to bereaved children adopt them with the hope that the enormity of HIV crisis will come to an end (IPAR, 2004)). It is however believed that the rate of HIV infection is very high in Luo Culture. Moreover, it suffers from food shortages and records the highest rates of infant mortality in Kenya (IPAR, 2004). It does not have good facilities for clean water supply a situation that has led many residents succumb to water-borne diseases, for instance, typhoid fever, amoebic dysentery and common dysentery including diarrhea (IPAR, 2004). Most girls suffer from teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (IPAR, 2004). High-Risk Behaviors As indicated earlier, Luo culture faces great challenges from HIV infections. This has been attributed to irresponsible sexual behavior among the youths. As such, Luo culture does not value male circumcision instead they remove their young men six front teeth both from the upper jaw and the lower jaw. Unfortunately, this right of passage does not meet dental health standards since it is done manually and in a very rough way (Stein, 1985). Wife inheritance is another strange cultural practice whereby a widow is remarried by the deceased’s brother who must meet all her marital requirements, for instance, conjugal rights. According to Luo culture, adolescent period should prepare a girl for marriage and family life. In the traditional settings, girls obtain tattoos on their backs and having their ears pierced as well. The unfortunate thing is that the materials used to carry out these practices are never sterilized (Stein, 1985). Girls come together among peer groups where they get to share their sexuality, for instance, discussing boys and their personal attributes. On the same note, older women provide sex education to the teenage girls. Lovers secretly meet near these huts although pregnancy outside marriage is strictly prohibited (Southall, 1952). Fertility and Childbearing Practices Luo culture discourages people from noting when a woman is pregnant for they believe that it would bring problems and troubles from jealous ancestors (Mboya, 1986). Older women and wives accompany expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy and during nativity. In this community, twins are not received very well. They believe that twins originate from the evil spirits and so they treat such cases with special attention. The twins’ parents are required to assume certain taboos. In order to prevent the calamity that may befall the twins’ parents, the community members engage in obscene dancing as well as using foul language. Only in this way can the burden of giving birth to twins be lifted (Gay, 1981). As mentioned earlier, women receive much of the blame in case of infertility in marriage. This culture believes that infertility is as a result of blasphemy in the ancestral lineage of the woman. They believe that unless the spirits and ancestors intervene, the woman will never give birth (Gay, 1981). As can be seen, it can be argued and justifiably so that control of fertility is attributed to the mercy of the ancestors. In other words, Luo culture believes that fertility is given by the ancestors to the favored ones. In a more traditional setting, incest has been associated with most pregnancy complications. However, the husband including other relatives should make sure that after the woman gives birth they slaughter a goat or sheep for her where she gets to eat it at intervals. This ritual is compulsory and if one fails to honor it either the mother or the child can experience more complications even to the point of dying (Mboya, 1986). Men shouldn’t watch women giving birth unless on serious conditions. They are supposed to be far away from the scene. If a woman gives birth traditionally, she has to sit on a stone with her legs apart where other women support her to give birth. Immediately she gives birth the child is rushed in the hut for other rituals which involve cleaning the umbilical cord and cutting part of it to be buried. This is believed to be a sign of appreciation to the ancestors (Liyong, 1972). Death Rituals It is worth noting that Luo culture performs about fourteen rituals for the dead (Wakana, 1997). Table 1 in appendix A summarizes the rituals from the first step to the last. Whenever a person dies women come out with long, quivering wail which is seconded by sound of drums. Strictly, the death announcement has to take place either in the morning or in the evening. Luo culture prohibits death announcement during the day although this varies across persons, age, sex and occupation (Wakana, 1997). If, for instance, a child dies in the morning the announcement follows immediately but in the case of elderly men, women have to wait until sunset to start wailing (Pritchard, 1965). The bereaved family stays throughout in the compound of the deceased until the burial day. Other members of the community gather to console the family (Wakana, 1997). Digging of the grave takes place at round 9 p. m. and goes until 3 to 4 a. m. of the burial day (Millikin, 1906). One or two weeks after the burial cholla begins where several relatives to the deceased take their cattle to his compound at around seven o’clock in the morning. It is however important to note that this ritual is only performed for dead men. The men gather there, kill a cock without using a knife and share its pieces of meat. They then blow horns of buffaloes and rhinoceroses (oporro) and play drums (bul) as well. These men later attract a long procession composed of more men, women and children; it becomes longer and noisier as communities sing and play the instruments even louder (Milikin, 1906). Spirituality It is believed that Christianity has penetrated the lives of Luo community hence changing some of their traditional religious beliefs. However, a greater part of Luo culture still engages in traditional rituals (Ocholla, 1980). The new Christian movements in this community are Catholicism and Protestantism. Despite their Christian beliefs, they still belief in the intercession of their ancestors in their lives (Ocholla, 1980). Traditionally, it is believed that the ancestors reside in the sky or underground and their souls undergo transmigration either through animals or new born babies (Themes in History, 1990). In actual fact, they carry out ceremonies whenever naming of a child takes place to determine if a particular spirit has been reincarnated (Themes in History, 1990). Additionally, it is believed that the ancestral spirits communicate with the living in their dreams (Ocholla, 1980). Luo Culture believes that failure to remember or respect the spirits may have adverse effects in their community (Sinaiko, 1995). It is worth noting that they refer to spirits as jouk which means â€Å"shadow† and they refer to God as Nyasaye which translates as â€Å"he who is begged† and also Were which translates as â€Å"certain to grant requests† (Sinaiko, 1995). Ancestral worship plays a predominant role in their traditional religion. Ancestral spirits are believed to be actively involved in the world. This strong belief is very evident in the belief system of many Luos (Sinaiko, 1995). Health Care Practices It is unfortunate to remark that Luo culture does not have elements that can promote community health. In other words, it is not a culture that motivates the Luo people to maintain healthy standards. Most of the beliefs and practices are geared towards appeasing the ancestors and thus forget the well being of the entire community at present. This is why this culture cannot be regarded as a past or present oriented culture because many of its emphases lay on their destiny (Isak, 1972). Even in matters regarding health, they call upon their ancestors to intervene. It is also important to note that they believe that being healthy is a favor from their forefathers and being unhealthy is a curse from the same forefathers. It becomes complicated to guide them through a causal health understanding of their diseases. Inasmuch as healthcare practitioners would want to address the why of their health issues the big challenge would be to convince them out of their traditionally held beliefs. The elders who serve as traditional doctors are revered by this community and they rely on their guidance in curing certain diseases (Southall, 1952). However, with the HIV endemic that has swept away many families leaving most children orphans, has led Luo culture to seek other better ways to deal with their health issues. Obviously, given that HIV/Aids has no cure they started realizing that traditional practices cannot address the problem (IPAR, 2004). Although their folklore practices do not directly address health issues, they got some moral stories that can be useful in giving care to the sick. For instance, among the commonly told story is refereed to as â€Å"Opondo’s Children† which talks of a man who gave birth to monitor lizards instead of human babies (Mboya, 1986). With time, the parents decided to throw them away due to their inhuman conditions. One day, they decided to retain one of their babies who at the age of adolescence loved to bathe in the riverside. In the process of swimming the child turned into a fully functioning human being. Passers by noticed and ran back to the village with this news which pleased the community members. The child was accepted in the community and received a lot of love and support. From this story, Luo culture believes that they have a duty towards the sick especially the physically handicapped (Mboya, 1986). Client Interview Data This section discusses some of the findings established during the interview process. The participant is a Kenyan citizen and from a Luo culture. The impressive thing in this study is that much of the ideas established in the literature review were re-affirmed during the entire interview process. However, the interviewee was assertive that Luo culture has changed tremendously and that Luo people are becoming more scientific in their thinking. Communication According to the interviewee, communication in Luo culture just requires respect and clarity. In general, young ones should not scold their parents and the same case applies to husbands in respect to their wives. However, this study leant that Luo culture prohibits pointing another person using an index finger; to them it means fate to the pointed person. He confirmed that Luo culture has become an interactive one where people can share their feelings with one another. It had been mentioned that men could not interact with women or children could not interact with their elders, today things have changed. The format for giving names is still evident where children are given names according to seasons, events or calamities. Nutrition This study learnt that Luo culture will never have other preferred staple foods apart from fish and ugali. The interviewee confirmed that this is not only a matter of culture but it is also because of the meaning of such food to their lives. He believes that Luo has many intelligent people â€Å"genius† because of feeding on fish. Moreover, they are healthy and strong because of combining fish with ugali which is actually a carbohydrate. Family Roles Organizations The interviewee remarked as follows, â€Å"if there is anything that Luo culture has failed in, it is its perception on family†. This study learnt that modern Luo families want to treat their family matters as personal. In fact, most families have begun migrating to urban places just to experience peace and autonomy. However, the interviewee remarked that most parents still uphold cultural values meant to discipline their children. In other words, most families still hold to those traditional ways of bringing up their children. Husbands still remain the heads of their families and with the duty of educating their children. But all the same, wives are supposed to help financially especially if the spouses are both working. Workforce Issues The interviewee remarked that Luo culture has evolved where traditional practices have become a collective responsibility. Today, men and women can go fishing and even engage in its selling. Moreover, all genders have become professionals in different fields. High Risk Behaviours Indeed, the interviewee confirmed that Luo culture still engages in high risk behaviors which in the interviewee’s opinion are backward. First he sighted the â€Å"wife inheritance issue†; here he said that most women or men contract HIV Virus due to this practice. He said the following, â€Å"I still do not understand why Luo culture has to push for wife inheritance. Somebody dies of HIV/aids and the community very well knows about it, but the brother to the deceased goes ahead to have intercourse with the woman. † He also said, â€Å"This does not apply only to HIV/Aids only but it also extends to other diseases like diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and meningitis†. This study learnt that there are women who get re-married to their in-laws who have terminal illness hence affecting their health both physically and psychologically. This study also learns that Luo culture still faces serious problems with HIV/Aids due to unsafe sex among the youths and commercial sex workers where most of them are young girls. The interviewee had this to say, â€Å"Sex is deeply entrenched in the Luo culture such that it cannot be comprehended in isolation†; he also said â€Å"females who are poor resort to sexually irresponsible behavior just to get money which is not even more than five dollars. † The interviewee also mentioned the issue of polygamous marriages where men engage sexually with many women hence contracting serious sexual transmitted diseases. This study also learnt that consumption of illicit brews and drugs and the growing establishments of entertainment houses have left many youths with poor health conditions hence dying at a very young age. As mentioned earlier, female genital mutilation and removal of teeth poses great risks. The interviewee had this to say: â€Å"these practices are very risky since they are carried out under unhygienic conditions and even the equipment used is never sterilized. This is why they keep on contracting germs and HIV virus†. Pregnancy and Childbearing Practices The interviewee believes that causes of teenage pregnancies are as a result of ignorance on the side of the girls. According to him, most girls do not know how to go about their productive life. But, he was very happy to remark that nowadays women give birth in the hospitals and rarely will women give birth in traditional settings. There are no taboos associated with marriage in the Luo culture today, only that the husband should take very good care of the wife. He also remarked that among the most improved health practices among Luo women is care for the mother before and after birth. Apart from traditional food, anything to do with the medication of the mother and the child is as prescribed by a qualified doctor. Health Care Practices Practitioners The interviewee was very optimistic that in few years to come Luo culture will have the best medical practitioners ever. According to him, most Luo men and women have undertaken courses in medicine and other health care modules. â€Å"Today, Luo culture has evolved from a culture of traditional doctors to a culture of serious surgeons, physicians and mid-wives†. He informed this study that traditional medicine men cannot carry out any practices on complicated issues like pregnancy, eye-problems, heart failure, diabetes et cetera. They instead encourage the patient to seek professional help from a hospital. They only get involved in the treatment of minor illnesses like cold, flu, chicken pox, normal diarrhea, sore throats just to mention a few. Here, they prepare medicine from traditional herbs from different plants. Moreover, they make medicine for children using fat substances from the fish products. In fact, the interviewee remarked that Kenya’s medical sector borrowed from the Luo traditional doctors how to prepare medicine to prevent children from coughing. The medicine is popularly known as â€Å"cough syrup† which is a by product of fish in Luo culture. Research Questions The research method selected for this proposed research study follows a qualitative approach. The qualitative method will be implemented because it follows the approach that allows for the collection and analysis of data that could not described through a quantitative approach. This approach is descriptive and inquisitive in nature, which is selected because of its relevance to the type of data collected and because of the purpose of the study. Contrary to the quantitative research method, participants from this study will be encouraged to use their personal experiences to interpret and answer interview questions. Their demographic background will also be significantly considered for the interpretation of the test answers (Leed Omrod, 2005). Any form of quantifiable data that can be found in this study, will be analyzed according to descriptive statistics. Alise (2008) pointed out that under the qualitative research method, there is an interaction between the researcher and the participants. The following are the research questions: 1) To what extent does Luo culture hinder effective health safety measures? 2) How does Luo culture affect health care practitioners? Is there any competition between healthcare practitioners and traditional doctors? Recommendations for Research Based on the findings of this study, it further recommends that: a) There be an empirical investigation carried out in this community in order to ascertain the findings of this research b) Health agencies to study this culture more closely in order to help it improve on community health c) To explore other cultures in Kenya that might be having similar challenges Applications to Practice In order to carry out ethnographic fieldwork among Luo Community and generate information based on qualitative analysis, it would be beneficial to learn more from medical anthropologists and professors. Moreover, there should be more research from the libraries to gain more insight on Luo culture and to familiarize more on the best methods to gather and record information. Medical volunteers are traveling to work with the Luo community to cooperate with the traditional healers and record their conversations about herbs. They should make sure there is an interpreter available. The team can take pictures and identify herb clippings for their easier recognition. The volunteers can carry out prior research to compare with the current clinical use of the herbs and their dosages. Summary/Conclusion This study has established that Luo culture has got three languages namely: English, Kiswahili and Dholuo. However, Dholuo is commonly used. Luo culture gives names according to seasons, events, calamities or time. Luo are mixed farmers since they grow crops and keep animals at the same time. Luo culture values ugali and fish which serve as their staple food. Marriage is regarded in high esteem and especially when children come by. Children remain with the father even in cases of separation or divorce for that matter. Luo community constitutes of black people. Among the most common diseases affecting this community are malaria, malnutrition, kwashiorkor, typhoid, amoeba and HIV/Aids. The high risk behaviors include removal of teeth, tattoos, genital mutilation and other rights of passage that use non-sterilized equipment. Luo culture has got fourteen death rituals although their applications vary from age, sex, or occupation of the deceased. Moreover, this culture does not promote community health per se. Traditional doctors have an influential role although they recognize the role of professional medical practitioners. The folklore activities provide wonderful moral stories that encourage the community to take care of the sick and especially the physically handicapped. The client interview data strongly brings out Luo community as a changing culture, and in deed, for the better. However, the high risk behaviors still pose a great challenge to the health well being of its members. References Alise, M. (2008). Disciplinary differences in preferred research methods: A comparison of groups in the Biglan Classification Scheme. Retrieved from North Central University website: http://learners. ncu. edu/library/ncu_diss/default. aspx. Pritchard, E. E. 1965 (1949). Luo tribes and clans. In (E. E. Evans-Pritchard, ed. ) The Position of Women in Primitive Societies and Other Essays in Social Anthropology, pp. 205-227. Faber and Faber Ltd. , London. Gay, D. (1981). Modern Kenya. New York: Longman Isak, D. (1972) Out of Africa. New York: Random House Institute of Policy Analysis Research (IPAR), (2004). HIV/Aids Scourge in Nyanza Province: Poverty, Culture and Behavior Change. Journal of African Medical Care, Vol. 10, Issue 11. Kenya in Pictures, (1988). Minneapolis, Minn. : Lerner Publications Co. Leed, P. D. and Ormrod, J. E. (2005). Practical Research: Planning and Design (8th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Liyong, T. (1972). Popular Culture of East Africa. London Mboya, P. (1986) (unpublished). Luo Customs and Beliefs. , translated by Jane Achieng (1938, Luo Kitgi gi Timbegi). Millikin, A. S. (1906). Burial customs of the Wa-Kavirondo of the Kisumu Province. Man, 6 (35): 54-55. Ocholla-Ayayo, A. B. C. (1980). The Luo Culture: A Reconstruction of a Traditional African Society Ochieng, E. (2009). History of Luo Culture. Journal of Kenya’s Heritage, vol. 2 (22-45) Parker, S. (1989). Bitter Money: Cultural Economy and Some African Meanings of Forbidden Commodities. American Ethnological Society Monograph Series, no. 1. Washington, D. C Sinaiko, L. (1995). Holidays of the World Cookbook for Students. Phoenix, Ariz. : Oryx Stein, R. (1985). Kenya. Chicago: Children’s Press Southall, A. (1952). Lineage Formation among the Luo. Memorandum of International African Institute, No. 26. Oxford University Press, London. Themes in Kenyan History (1990). Athens: Ohio University Press Wakana SHIINO, (1997). Death Rituals in Luo Nyanza. Journal of Africa Study Monographs, 18 (3, 4) 213-228, Department of Social Anthropology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, How to cite Cultural Research Interview, Essays

Monday, April 27, 2020

Muddy Waters Essays - Blues, Mississippi Blues Trail, Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters Muddy Waters Blues as an art form gave Blacks a medium to manifest their feelings. Feelings ranging from humorous to silly to depressed. Fortunately for a entire genre of music, the only way for Mckinley Morganfield to express himself was through song. Morganfield better known as Muddy Waters became a legendary blues vocalist /guitarist. When the Blues industry saw commercial success many of its artists also saw rising fame. Muddy Waters enjoyed success in the industry up until and even after his death in 1983. Morganfield was born April 4, 1915 to Ollie Morganfield and Bertha Jones. He was born in Rollingfork, Mississippi. Near their two room shack in Rollingfork there was a creek, Deer Creek. As a youngster he used to play in the creek and get all dirty and muddy. It was at this point when his sisters gave him the nickname ?Muddy Waters'. Bertha died when he was about three. After her death he had to move in with his grandmother in Clarksdale. Raised in Clarksdale, he also went to school there. He went to school until he was old enough to work in the fields. Much like all of the other field laborers Muddy Waters hollered in the fields to pass time or just to get things off of your chest. Waters would also teach himself to play instruments. When he was fifteen he knew how to play the harmonica and he would later teach himself the guitar. The young Waters followed in his fathers musician footsteps. He was part of a band at fifteen, with Scott Bowhandle on guitar and Sonny Simms playing the violin. They would play some Saturday nights in downtown Clarksdale and others he would sell fried fish on nights. And other nights he would watch the greats like Son House, Robert Johnson and Charlie Patton were great musical influences on Waters. The main influence on Waters was Son House, although Waters style of play was more similar to that of Robert Johnson. Muddy Waters was first recognized by word of mouth. Alan Lomax of The Library of Congress went to Clarksdale to record Robert Johnson. But to his dismay, he found out that Robert Johnson was dead and had been for two years. The word on the street at that time led Lomax to Muddy Waters. Waters would record two songs with them in 1941, far before he became famous. His name would not reach household status until 1947 when he recorded his first hit single, ?I can't be satisfied.? Muddy Waters style of blues was considered rough and uncompromising. It was different from all of the other too ?polished' for the South musicians. Waters didn't have a sing-song voice, but a deep raspy voice. Success was steadily increasing especially since the addition of band members. The band complimented his sound. Jimmy Rogers was on the guitar, and harmonica specialist Little Walter. The band provided superb sounds while the ?grand ole man' played his guitar and sang. Although I listened to more than two selections there were two that stood out in my mind; ?The Hoochie Coochie Man' and ?Corine Corina'. Waters proclaims his arrival and his presence as the hoochie coochie man. He wants to let the world know that he is here. Over a consistent baseline, he begins each verse with a whisper and concluding each verse with a shout almost. Adding to the effect that says his coming and know he is here. The next song ?Corine Corina is fast paced and upbeat. In an almost pleading voice he asks Corina why she does not love him. He leaves Corina by the end of the song. This record has a blend of saxophones, a base and a bridge with a harmonica. Neither of these songs carry the typical thoughts of what a Blues song should like. ?The most astonishing aspect of the blues is that, through replete with a sense of defeat and downheartedness, they are not intrinsically pessimistic; their burden of woe and melancholy is dialectically redeemed through sheer force of sensuality into an almost exultant affirmation of life, of love, of sex, of movement, of hope. No matter how repressive was the American environment, the Negro never lost faith in of doubted his deeply endemic capacity to live. All blues are a lusty, lyrical realism charged with taut sensibility. I'll never understand why most people define the blues as an expression of sadness only.? -Richard Wright, definition of blues Muddy Waters is a legend. Not