Cultural Democracy: From Uncle Tom\u27s Cabin To A House Made Of Dawn; Unto Us Is Born A Manchild In The Promised Land

Cultural democracy is the ability of a people to define their existence regardless of the dominant culture whose norms and values are institutionally accepted and expected. Where most freedoms refer to the individual, cultural freedom, in contrast, is a collective freedom referring to the right of people to follow or adopt a way of life of their choice. While varying levels of economic and political democracy have been achieved in America, the social techniques devised to create and implement cultural democracy are dependent upon capitalist endeavors developed from religious indoctrination and colonization. Through a close examination of Claude Brown’s Manchild in the Promised Land and N. Scott Momaday’s House Made of Dawn, this study explores the historic role that religion and colonization have played in the economic and political progression of African American and Native Americans. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin serves as a reference point to examine the culture of the oppressed from the standpoint of the dominant culture and how it differs in scope from the humanity displayed in the works of Brown and Momaday. Manchild in the Promised Land and House Made of Dawn demonstrate how when those who comprise the best knowers of the tangible and intangible assets of a culture have the capacity to be active participants as opposed to passive followers in the development of their communities, it is much more likely to create a thriving economic and political center to stimulate opportunity and human progression

Flat Strips, Bowen-Margulis Measures, and Mixing of the Geodesic Flow for Rank One CAT(0) Spaces.

Let X be a proper, geodesically complete CAT(0) space under a proper, cocompact, and isometric action; further assume X admits a rank one axis. Using the Patterson-Sullivan measure on the boundary, we construct a generalized Bowen-Margulis measure on the space of geodesics in X. This measure has full support and is invariant under the geodesic flow. Our construction of the Bowen-Margulis measure hinges on establishing a new structural result of independent interest: Almost no geodesic (under the Bowen-Margulis measure) bounds a flat strip of any positive width. We also show that almost every point in the boundary of X (under the Patterson-Sullivan measure) is isolated in the Tits metric. Finally, we identify precisely which geodesically complete, cocompact rank one CAT(0) spaces are mixing. That is, we prove that the Bowen-Margulis measure is mixing under the geodesic flow unless X is a tree with all edge lengths in some discrete subgroup of the reals.PhDMathematicsUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/113535/1/rmricks_1.pd

The effects of strategic corporate philanthropy on consumer perceptions: an experimental assessment

There are many objectives for corporate philanthropic activity beyond altruism. Financial gain, increased image, and thwarting negative publicity have been suggested as potential objectives for corporate giving. This dissertation develops a 2X2 classification schema as a framework for empirical investigation and managerial decision making. Additionally this dissertation examines current models of corporate philanthropy and develops a new model for the use of philanthropy in crisis management using stakeholder theory. Finally it presents experimental assessments of various types of philanthropy based on the classification schema. Philanthropic activity is assessed in the context of two controlled experiments. The first experiment examines the perceptions of African-Americans versus other ethnic groups based on philanthropic activity directed toward African-Americans versus the general population. These perceptions are also examined in the context of a crisis (after a firm has been found to be discriminatory toward African-Americans) versus a good will gesture. A second experiment will conduct a closer examination of philanthropic activity in the crisis context by replicating the crisis conditions in the first experiment with modified experimental manipulations based on the results of the first study. Results indicate philanthropy is an effective strategic option for corporate or brand image objectives, but ineffective for brand evaluation and purchase objectives. In addition philanthropy directed toward a particular segment also has a positive effect on consumers outside of that segment. Finally, philanthropy as a part of a recovery strategy appears to have a consistent but marginal effect on consumer perceptions of brand equity variables

Hierarchical Coupling of Molecular Dynamics and Micromechanics to Predict the Elastic Properties of Three-Phase and Four-Phase Silicon Carbide Composites

The results obtained from previously conducted molecular dynamics analysis of silicon carbide (-SiC (6H, 4H, & 2H-SiC), -SiC (3C SiC)), silicon and boron nitride, were utilized as inputs in the MAC/GMC micromechanics software to model and evaluate the elastic properties of three-phase SiC/BN/SiC and four-phase SiC/BN/Si/SiC composites. This method of analysis eliminates the need for back-calculation of the apparent properties of the base constituents from the measured ceramic matrix composites properties. The multiscale models are validated against the available data in literature

Transitioning to College: Experiences of Successful First-Generation College Students

This qualitative study explored the high school to college transition experiences of ten successful first-generation college students (FGCS). Participants were college seniors at an historically black university in the United States. A generic qualitative research design was used, including in-depth, semi-structured interviews to collect and analyze data. Participants reported that the transition experience led to confusion with academic and financial procedures, various emotions including anxiety and fear, the realization that they had deficits in academic skills, and the receipt of support from family members and others. Cultural and social capital appeared to play key roles in their success. Student affairs professionals are encouraged to explore targeted, individualized strategies that meet the needs of FGCS as they transition to college

The Central Utah Project Completion Act

10 pages

It\u27s Just a Way of Fitting In: Tobacco Use and the Lived Experience of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Appalachians

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people are affected by multiple health disparities and risk factors, including tobacco use. Few studies to date have examined tobacco use specifically in rural LGB populations, and none has investigated the intersections of identity, rural LGB culture, and tobacco. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspective of Appalachian LGB people regarding tobacco use. METHODS: Nineteen LGB-identified Appalachian residents participated in audiotaped, semi-structured interviews. Two authors analyzed and coded transcripts through constant comparison, and determined themes through consensus. RESULTS: Five themes emerged: the convergence of Appalachian and LGB identities, tacit awareness of LGB identity by others, culture and tobacco use, perceived associations with tobacco use, and health beliefs and health care. CONCLUSIONS: LGB Appalachians connect stress and culture to tobacco, but seem less aware that partial concealment of their identity might be a source of the stress that could influence their smoking

Correlates of Sexual-Risk Behaviors Among Young Black MSM: Implications for Clinic-Based Counseling Programs

This study applied an 8-item index of recent sexual-risk behaviors to young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) and evaluated the distribution for normality. The distribution was tested for associations with possible antecedents of sexual risk. YBMSM (N = 600), aged 16–29 years, were recruited from a sexually transmitted infection clinic, located in the southern US. Men completed an extensive audio computer-assisted self-interview. Thirteen possible antecedents of sexual risk, as assessed by the index, were selected for analyses. The 8-item index formed a normal distribution with a mean of 4.77 (SD = 1.77). In adjusted analyses, not having completed education beyond high school was associated with less risk, as was having sex with females. Conversely, meeting sex partners online was associated with greater risk, as was reporting that sex partners were drunk during sex. The obtained normal distribution of sexual-risk behaviors suggests a corresponding need to “target and tailor” clinic-based counseling and prevention services for YBMSM. Avoiding sex when partners are intoxicated may be an especially valuable goal of counseling sessions