Eiselen report Essay Example

Eiselen report Paper Afrikaner nationalism gained momentum after the war and the National party saw its popularity increase16. On May 26, 1948, a crucial year in South African history, Nazi sympathizer Daniel Malan and Nationalist Party won a surprise victory17. Malans government, more explicitly white supremacist than its predecessors, focused more on order, economic development, and racial superiority18. From an instrumentalists viewpoint, the new Afrikaner government, the product of the 17th century Dutch pioneers, viewed themselves isolationists and racially pure, and segregation was the only way in which to maintain this ethnic purity19. With the notion that a pluralistic society would lead to their ultimate destruction, the Afrikaner Nationalists quickly legislated a web of racial laws aimed at strengthening this system of self preservation by weakening African unity and destroying any sense of nationalism. The new regime took immediately steps to fashion a new white South Africa by means of the apartheid system. Because most of the essential elements of this system were already in place, the apartheid regime needed only to fuse these elements together to institutionalize racial discrimination, and most importantly, it served to reestablish the Afrikaners ethnic identity. The 1950 Population Registration Act worked to classify people into four racial groups: White, Black, Coloureds, and Asians. In the same year, the Group Areas Act enforced residential segregation through home expropriations and massive forced removals into selected areas20. These two acts formed the cornerstone of the apartheid system thereby affecting every aspect of South African social, economic, and political life. Most importantly, these laws were to intentionally break the political will of the African majority while guaranteeing accessibility and exploitation of their labour21. We will write a custom essay sample on Eiselen report specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Eiselen report specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Eiselen report specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The apartheid regimes political ideologies also brought to government a new racial emphasis on African schooling by restructuring the educational system. Initially, little was done to intervene in the operation of schools. However, due to impending changes in South Africas political and racial climate, educational institutions began to experience significant upheavals, marked by student rebellions, violence, boycotts and intertribal tensions22. When analyzing South Africas democratic transition four decades later, it is important to understand how these various forms of rebellion also contained the seeds of future social protests by generations of angry and frustrated school children, born under this repressive political regime. The states solution was to forcibly take control of the missions and curb the growth of the disgruntled African elite and their potential militant nationalism. Minister of Native Affairs Dr. H. Verwoerd, a Calvinistic white supremacist and active member of the Dutch Reformed Church, audaciously inferred that the missions had brought about the states intervention on themselves23. In one of Dr. Verwoerds senate speeches on black education he proclaimed, blacks should be educated for their opportunities in life24. Verwoerd, one of the pre-eminent architects of apartheid, in keeping with the new Afrikaner governments God ordained political concept of racial inequality, introduced a new ideology into South African schooling by taking steps to restructure the educational system. In 1949, the government set up a Commission on Native Education under the chairmanship of Dr. W. Eiselen. The commission was asked by Verwoerd to make recommendations towards education for Natives as an independent race, taking into account their inherent racial qualities, their distinctive characteristics and aptitude, and their needs under ever changing social conditions25. By 1951, the Eiselen Commission recommended that black education should be an integral part of a carefully planned policy of segregated socioeconomic development, and beneficial for the transmission and development of black cultural heritage26. The Eiselen report maintained that racial separation within the educational system be kept, and Bantu education should have a separate existence. Like the Welsh report over a decade earlier, the Eiselen commission also recommended that funding for African schooling, including higher-level education be increased. This recommendation, however, was flatly rejected. If the state was to remain an engine of patronage for Afrikaner economic gain, additional funding for African education certainly did not fit within their political agenda27. By following only a few recommendations of the Eiselen report, Verwoerd introduced the 1953 Bantu Education Act, an ill-conceived blueprint for the black schooling system. This bill was to completely change the course of education for blacks in South Africa during the following four decades. Furthermore, the Bantu Education Act, strictly controlled by Verwoerdian ideologies, laid the ground for further rebellions. Most importantly, apartheid education created the angriest and most violent generation of youths in South Africas history28. With the introduction of the Bantu Education Act in 1953, the state sought to destroy the potentially growing nationalism of the African elite and their educational institutions, by implementing draconian measures and more stringent controls29. Verwoerds ultimatum to the mission schools was to either hand over control to the state, or face cuts in government subsidies30. With little choice and inadequate funding from Europe, the missions capitulated and their buildings were handed over. Government schools were also affected. Verwoerd abolished the Smuts school feeding scheme, and measures such as stricter student quota systems were introduced whereby pupils who were forced to walk great distances to school were excluded31. Language instruction from primary to level eight was provided in the vernacular, followed by Afrikaans, which became mandatory in secondary school32. This dual medium of instruction was introduced so that eventually, students could serve the needs of white society, by enabling them to follow oral and or written instructions. When analyzing the politics of Bantu education, language represented a key ideological element of the apartheid regime. The system of Bantu education was specifically created to educate Blacks to fit into the apartheid system and these children were not to be educated beyond their assigned station in life. It could also be argued that the Afrikaner state, and in particular Verwoerd, used the act to prevent the widespread use of English in African schools, which could later lead to a more culturally English environment. Understandably, such as scenario would have severely handicapped the Afrikaners struggle against Anglicization among Africans. When the act came into effect in April 1955, the first of many rebellions followed and thousands of students and hundreds of teachers were dismissed. Later similar laws were passed to control Coloured and Indian schooling33. University level education was also affected by the apartheid regime. The 1959 Extension of University Education Act ended the admissions criteria originally exercised by traditionally white universities where academic non-segregation was practiced34. Although several new colleges and universities came into existence in terms of the apartheid framework such as the University of the North, the University of Zululand, and the University of the Western Cape. The irony was that due to a lack of properly educated matriculants at the secondary school level, many aspiring students lacked the scholastic requirements for university level studies. Unlike other African states, such as Uganda and Kenya, little attention was paid to the expansion and quality of South Africas secondary education. During the two decades South Africa underwent considerable economic expansion. Political economists and businessmen argued that the countrys economic potential was being hampered by a shortage of trained and skilled manpower. Previous laws limiting African labour and the Bantu Education systems restrictions on black training were frequently blamed, and these arguments continued well into the seventien. Further rebellions and student protests continued throughout the 1960s and 1970s by students and teachers from all educational levels. The impact of Bantu Education can be seen as being felt most deeply almost a decade after its implementation, when students began to rise in revolt and these rebellions led to the formation of political organizations such as Black Consciousness. On March 21, 1960, a protest movement in the town of Sharpville was organized and proved the first turning point in a new phase of resistance when a 67 people were killed and 186 injured37. Anger and frustration continued among students and youths resulting in further political protests and demands for social, economic, and political change. By 1976, Africans faced a serious shortage of educational facilities, with the township of Soweto requiring 70 schools alone38. Due to the deficiencies of the educational system a lack of employment opportunities was created and this situation was further exacerbated by a worsening economic situation. Against this backdrop, another watershed event in South African history took place. On June 16, 1976, thousands Soweto schoolchildren, under the non-violent philosophy of Black Consciousness, began a protest triggered by tensions over the governments decision to enforce the decree that Afrikaans must be the medium of instruction in secondary schools39. Owing to a particularly brutal police response, children were indiscriminately killed, and during the ensuing ghost town operation protests, which continued until the mid 1970s, over 600 people were killed, of which almost 200 were children. Soweto was a political catalyst that captured the attention of the worldwide media and became one of South Africas most important historical events that irreversibly transformed the political landscape. Two years later, the Inkatha Freedom Party, funded by the apartheid regime and headed by Nelson Mandelas chief antagonist, Zulu leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, introduced Ubuntu Botho or good citizenship into the mandatory curriculum of all KwaZulu schools40. Understandably, these politically motivated texts, written in Zulu and mainly for Inkatha s gain, were severely criticized.

Multiple choice Essays

Multiple choice Essays Multiple choice Essay Multiple choice Essay Use a lead pencil only and fully erase any unwanted answers as the answer sheets are computer- marked You must hand In this question paper and the answer sheet at the conclusion of the test. Which of the following statements about the directors off company is true? A. The employees of a company are subject to the control of each individual director. B. Every decision by a company board is subject to the approval of the members. C. Directors may delegate their management functions. D. In all companies the members can remove a director from office by passing an ordinary resolution in a general meeting. Which of the following is the best description of the significance of the decision in Salomon v Salomon Co Ltd [1897]? A. The notion of limited liability should not apply to companies owned and operated by a single person b. The concept of separate legal personality cannot be used by a sole trader to avoid liability to creditors c. A shareholder who is also involved in the management of the company is not entitled to the benefit of limited liability d. The benefits of incorporation extend to companies effectively under the control of a single person Members of a company may agree to adopt a constitution which Includes restrictions on the companys activities. Which of the following statements are true? A. Those restrictions only bind those who agree to them at the time, and not those who become members or officers of the company at a later time. B. An act of the company (such as forming a contract) which is contrary to those restrictions cannot be legally valid. C. An act of the company which Is contrary to those restrictions may be a breach of the statutory contract represented by the companys constitution. D. If hat director has not breached any of their duties as a director because the act is the act of the company not the act of the director. QUESTION FOUR Which of the following requirements does not need to be satisfied in order to convert a proprietary company into a public company? A. The Australian Securities Exchange (ASS) must approve the change of type of company. B. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIA) must alter the details of the companys registration to reflect the change of type. C. At least 75% of the votes cast on the resolution at a general meeting must support the change of type of company. D. The company must provide information to ASIA about the change of company type. QUESTION FIVE A large proprietary company can: A. Be listed on ASS B. Raise funds from the public provided it issues a prospectus C. Have more than 50 non-employee shareholders D. Have Just one shareholder who is also the only director QUESTION SIX BAN Pity Limited was founded on 1 June 1998. In 2001 the companys constitution was repealed and no new constitution was adopted. The members of BAN Pity Limited are unhappy with the way one of the directors is performing and want him removed from office. Which of the following statements is true? A. The members cannot remove the director from office but the directors can do so by ordinary resolution in a board meeting. B. The members can remove the director from office but only by special resolution in a general meeting. C. The members can remove the director from office by ordinary resolution in a general meeting. D. Since BAN Pity Limited currently has no constitution, the rules for replacing directors set out in the companys original constitution will still apply. QUESTION SEVEN What type of decision is a decision by the company to change from a proprietary company to a public company? A. An enterprise decision. B. A capital decision. C. A constitutional decision. D. An operational decision QUESTION EIGHT determining whether a company is a subsidiary of another company (its holding company)? A. A company will be a subsidiary if it has unlimited liability B. A company will be a subsidiary if another company holds more than one-half of its issued share capital (excluding non-voting shares) C. A company will be a subsidiary if it has three or more subsidiaries of its own. D. A company will be a subsidiary if another company has the power to determine the outcome of its operating and financial decisions. QUESTION NINE If a public company has no constitution, which of the following decisions does not require the consent of the members? A. A decision to modify the constitution. B. A decision to commence legal proceedings against a director. C. A decision to remove a director from office. D. A decision to approve the appointment of an auditor. QUESTION TEN Unless the companys constitution specifies otherwise, corporate actions that vary or cancel rights attaching to a class of shares generally require the passing of two special resolutions, one at a general members meeting and another at a meeting of the members whose rights are affected. Which of the following would be least likely to be deemed to be a variation of class rights? A. A resolution where rights attaching to some of the shares in a class are varied. B. A resolution to divide a class of shares into two separate classes such that after the division the rights attaching to all those shares are not the same. C. A resolution to issue new preference shares ranking equally with existing preference shares. D. A resolution that affects the value of the shares in a particular class. Chem.. Owns a taxi cab which is driven by Line. Line and Chem.. Agree that Chem.. Will receive half the takings. B. Peter, Sandy, Margo, Michael and several other people form a non-profit tennis club. The club committee organisms social functions for the purpose of raising funds. C. Charles, Melissa, John and Sarah form a syndicate to purchase a large block of land, build an apartment block and sell the units. D. Tony sells electrical appliances for Retro Appliances. He is paid according to a share of the profits made by the business.Richards nephews worked the farm and made improvements which increased the alee of the farm. In what circumstances is the farm most likely to be treated as partnership property? A. The farm was in Richards name only and was not included in the partnership accounts as an asset of the partnership B. The farm was in Richards name only but had occasionally been treated in the partnership accounts as an asset of the partnership C. The farm was in the name of Richard and his nephews as Joint owners and was treated as a partnership asset in the partnership accounts D. The farm was in the name of a family company and Richard and his nephews were the directors and shareholders of the company

Altius VA Ltd assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Altius VA Ltd - Assignment Example These tasks should be delegated to well-trained people who are fully aware of the long and short term objectives of the company. Training staff as well as delegating marketing duties in tandem with the laid down strategies enables working towards achieving them. Therefore, a marketing strategy is aimed at ensuring that a company is able to concentrate its resources towards the very important aspects of its core functioning; thus, minimizing wastage (Blythe 2006). Resources are always scarce; hence the need utilize them in a manner that ensures they are preserved for future use. A company must also ensure that the cost of production is kept at a minimum; while at the same time ensuring that it is making profits. Therefore, this paper will look at the marketing strategies that Altius VA Ltd need to better their business. Discussion The Altius Brand Strategic Analysis and Vision for the Compliance Software Altius VA Ltd is a vendor assessment company that keeps tabs of products from the said vendors and ensures that they meet the required standards as dictated by the different clients. This is attributed to the fact that it is always imperative for anything sold in the market to consumers to meet the laid down regulations and standards. As they have clearly stated in their website, â€Å"they believe that both clients and vendors have the right to expect a robust, fair and consistent assessment service, backed up by great customer support† (Altius 2013). They have taken the responsibility of ensuring that both the stakeholders get fair treatment as well as what they deserve out of any transaction or undertaking within the market setting. Without a brand name, Altius VA Ltd has made great strides in ensuring that their compliance software referred to as Supplier Assessment and Management System (SAMS) by their customers is well marketed in their website From their websites, they have shown and advertised to the vendors why they should be part of the Altius V A Ltd family. The benefits listed include: saving time and resources such as money, reducing duplication, aiming higher, among others (Altius 2013). These are straight to the point objectives that Altius endeavours to provide to their member vendors at all times and cost. The advantage of these to the vendors is that it helps in reducing the cost they would have incurred in performing the stated functions for themselves. By evaluating and analyzing the above advertisements on the Altius VA Ltd website, they have gone a long way in ensuring that the targeted stakeholders join them when fully aware of what they are, or could be drawing themselves into (Kelley & Jugenheimer 2009). Therefore, the vendors have an opportunity to make a decision for themselves to either be part of Altius VA Ltd or not. Altius VA Ltd services Altius VA Ltd has provided in their website what they do and how they are capable of helping both the vendors and clients. The vendors are assessed while the clients g et consultation services. This is a well-developed plan that attracts stakeholders as it indicates the need to join, and the efficiency that comes with receiving the services of Altius VA Ltd. SWOT analysis, for example, brings out how an organization can get to use the analysis of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

NEGOTIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

NEGOTIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION - Essay Example This strategy will look useful when it is evident to one party that there are specific laws regarding the matter. In addition, it is clear that the other party is not willing to accommodate the interests of the party. Thus, if it is seen that the cost and time involved in litigation are worth putting in considering the issue, the party may resort to litigation. For example, a serious breach of contract often calls for litigation in the form of a lawsuit. On the other hand, mediation is rather voluntary in nature and hence, it has no binding impact on the parties involved. Mediation requires the help of an impartial third party acceptable to all the parties involved. The benefit is that the decision is quick, and satisfactory to all the parties involved. This helps save cost and time. As is seen, the benefit of mediation is that the parties control the outcome unlike arbitration and litigation. So, it is highly useful in areas like renegotiating the various aspects of an existing agre ement. The fact is that there is no point in dragging such an issue to a court or litigator causing unnecessary delay and complexity. Both the parties fully understand the fact that the interests of the other party should also be accommodated in order to continue the agreement. In such situations, it is seen that the parties will use negotiation as the best strategy. Similarly, it is sometimes necessary to negotiate an agreement when two parties come together to form a new business venture. In such a situation, there is no point in depending on litigation and arbitration. In order to reach a solution which satisfies the interests of all the parties involved, the best strategy adopted is mediation. Arbitration involves solving a dispute with the help of a knowledgeable third party. This is binding on the parties, and most of the time, the decisions will not be reviewed by a court. That means the parties are surrendering their right for resolution through courts when they resort to ar bitration. The bright side of arbitration is that there are no formal pleading rules, and it is easier to communicate industry practices and complex damage models to a knowledgeable arbitrator than to a jury. In addition, it helps save time and cost involved in litigation and consequent appeal. It is seen that arbitration is the most effective strategy when the issues are consumer-related or industry-internal subjects. The mere fact is that when there is a dispute between a business and a consumer, there is no point in resorting to mediation if the parties feel that the interests of the other parties in the dispute do not need to be entertained. In such cases, the issue is better handled by an arbitrator who is knowledgeable in the area. Admittedly, this is useful when the issue can only be solved by a person or a board with knowledge in the industry. 2. I would like to have two-step dispute resolution clauses included in the agreement. It seems necessary to have mediation or negoti ation as the step before arbitration because they are less time consuming and more effective. Also, this gives both the parties a chance to listen to the position of the other party, and may give valuable insight about the weakness in ones own position. Anyway, as Friedland (2007, Ch 7) points out, it is necessary to have negotiation regarding the acceptability of mediators, negotiator, the binding nature

Personal Ethics Statement Essay Example for Free

Personal Ethics Statement Essay Ethics is a branch of philosophy, which address various issues that regards to morality and the general human behavior in society (Vendemiati 2004). Ethics identifies whether something is good or bad, ignoble or noble, just or unjust, or whether acts of people should be classified as being vices or virtues. Being ethical entails a number of integrated moral aspects that revolves around the common moral law of doing good and avoiding what is evil. Personal Ethics Statement Based on my personal experience and learned life lessons, being ethical means having the correct moral standards and practices that guide ones behaviors and the actions taken in life thus making one to be able to constantly do what is right and avoid evil. Being ethical therefore means having the right thought, always being positive in life, and ensuring that one has the right attitude that would guide in ensuring that immoral behaviors that could harm other people’s lives either directly or indirectly are avoided at all cost. Ethics also involve individuals being able to accept the wrong things they do and be willing to change for the better. Being ethical, according to me, therefore involve being morally upright, having the morally accepted life values, and having the desire to serve other people through ones best use of mind, body, and spirit without being coerced to do so. Based on my life experience and the studies that I have previously conducted, I have come to learn that though religion is a vital aspect of the common moral law, being ethical involves more that being good to oneself. The life experience has also made me to understand the fact that ethics involves being in a position to be submissive to the higher authority and ensuring that one avoids doing what is immoral. The fact that people who do not harm other people physically, morally, or socially get to be appreciated and loved by others elaborates what being ethical really means – being good (Mackie 1990). Previously, I have been making ethical decisions based on the teachings I have received from my parents and teachers and through copying the positive aspects of my friends and other people around me. I have always strived to ensure that the decisions I make in life do not contravene the common moral law and other governing rules and regulations in society. This involves being just and ensuring that I make decisions that would have a long term benefits and enhance the common good of all humanity. My core believes and values are that all people are equal and that we all deserve to be treated equally by being accorded the respect we deserve as human beings. I also strongly believe that the decisions we make in life should constantly be guided by the common moral law of doing good and avoiding evil rather than our self interest. Since I always strive to ensure that I accord other people fair treatment and mutual respect, I always expect to receive similar fair treatment and to be appreciated for the good things I do. Furthermore, I do not expect favors from other people but rather expect to be corrected whenever I do wrong. For instance, whenever I do favor to other people such as giving them medication when they fall seek, I always expect to be thanked and not to be given a token in return. This is illustrated by the fact that whenever my neighbors and friends are in need of food or tuition fees, I have always strived to ensure that I share with them the food I have or help them get the money, if I can, and I do not demand repayment to be made. Conclusion According to Mackie (1990), ethical standards are crucial in reinforcing the practice of the morally upright behaviors and acts in society. Courage is important for people to constantly act in an ethical way. Good personal and interpersonal leadership and management skills help individuals to make morally upright decisions without thinking of one’s self interest. For instance, treating customers with respect and wide acceptance improve business performance. References Vendemiati, A. (2004). In First Person, The outline of Ethics, The general perspective, Rome, The Urbaniana, The University Press. Mackie, L. J. (1990). Ethics: The Invention of the Wrong and the Right. London, Penguin. ISBN: 0-14-013558-8.

Of Mice and Men Essay example -- English Literature

Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck’s novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ is one of those books which make you believe everything that takes place between the covers. Books like these always remain as classics, because of their very informative and believable stories. John Steinbeck especially excels in this, and therefore is the reason I have chosen this book to describe. ‘Of Mice and Men’, the title of the novel, originates from the poem ‘To a Mouse’, by Robert Burns. It means that no matter what you plan to do in the future, something will always go wrong. It comes from the line ‘†¦the best laid schemes o’ Mice and Men, Gang aft agley’. The title of the book was originally ‘Something that Happened’, as the story is about what actually happened, not what should or could happen (at least to John Steinbeck). This is always at the back of the readers mind. During 1919 until 1926 (while Steinbeck was at college), he took up a few manual, and unskilled jobs, one being where he became a farm labourer on ranches between King City, and Santa Clara in Northern California. These experiences seem to have helped Steinbeck create the setting for his novel (‘Of Mice and Men’). He uses two main settings throughout the story; Curley’s father’s ranch, and rural California. Most of the story is set in and around the ranch, which allowed Steinbeck to contain all of the important events in one place. Steinbeck has written the novel in third-person, which allows him to tell the reader each characters point of view. He describes the setting around the characters in such a way that when the characters are doing or saying something, you can literally picture it in your head. He has also made all the characters in the novel talk America... ... the ranch. He wants to be able to enter the bunkhouse, or play cards with the other men. In conclusion, I believe that this book provides a very powerful impact to the reader, the main reason being because it shows how real life actually was in America at that time. It tells of how coloured people were treated differently, how women were looked upon as second class, and also how cruel real life can actually be. If say, the ending of the story was altered, where Lennie lived, and everyone lived happily ever after, you would not be able to appreciate it as much. The reason being, that life doesn’t always have a happy ending. Things never turn out the way you want them to. No matter how hard you try, events occur which can alter your hopes and your dreams. This book shows the message very loud and clear, and certainly provided a powerful impact to myself.

Homosexuality in America

Despite the United States progress toward homosexual liberation in the past few years, anti-gay and lesbian attitudes are still showing their ugly faces. Violence towards homosexuals is on the rise, conversion groups are popping up everywhere, conflict over homosexuality innateness is high, religious and personal discrimination is rampant: all this in a time when more and more gays and lesbians are coming out and their coming out at younger ages. It is a time in America when we need to support the homosexual community. Jamie Nabozny, now an openly gay man, was a troubled teenager who ttempted suicide three times and had frequently stayed in psychiatric wards. In high school he was tortured with emotional and physical violence from his peers. On one occasion in his freshmen year, two boys attacked him in the bathroom. He fell into the urinal and the boys proceeded to urinate on him. I just remember sitting there, waiting for it to get over with, recalled Nabozny (Jerome, 1). The school did nothing to prevent the harassment. Later, in his junior year, he was beaten so severely that he had to undergo exploratory abdominal surgery. Nabozny decided to sue the school district. The case was thrown out, but when he appealed to the federal courts, they decided a school could be sued for not preventing harassment. The district settled out of court, paying Nabozny $900,000 (Jerome, 5). Willi Wagner, a gay teenager who came out in ninth grade, was also harassed. Most of the time the abuse was verbal, and he was always ready with a comeback. Theyd call me a faggot and Id call them a hick, Wagner said. However, things did become violent. When Wagner and some friends were walking down the street, two vehicles stopped beside them and eight boys jumped out. Five of the boys formed a circle around Wagner, while the others beat him, leaving him with two black eyes, a broken nose and many bruises. I could feel my nose crack. It wasnt a good feeling, Wagner said of the incident. Two of the boys were put on probation for the incident; not near enough punishment for the crime (Jerome, 3). Incidents like these are quite common. In fact, one study showed that while the overall crime rate decreased four percent, anti-gay crimes rose seven percent (Peyser, 1). Another study, conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Education, found that, for homosexuals, the igh school years are filled with abuse, some of it self-inflicted. Gay and lesbian teenagers are five times more likely to use cocaine or skip school out of fear for safety than straight kids. Over thirty six percent of homosexual teens will attempt suicide each year (Jerome, 1). Conversion groups, usually run by religious denominations, are becoming more widespread. The goal of these groups is to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals, and in the meantime save them from the pits of hell. Conversion groups thrive on the idea that homosexuality is a choice, something about a person that can be changed. Some programs include butching up the men and feminizing the women. This is done by taking the males to sporting events and having make-up or shopping parties for females, or by pairing them with heterosexual mentors to show them the way to act. Others have gays and lesbians imagine members of the same sex as diseased, or perform exorcisms.. These programs say they have about a one-third success rate, success being when a homosexual is cured, that is when he or she no longer acts on urges (Schoofs, 2). Often, however, these therapies end up doing more harm than good, as hey did for Jeffrey Coates. He had been raised to believe that gay men go to hell. So after his first sexual experience with a man, Coates joined a twenty week conversion program called Desert Stream. He was recognized for making excellent progress in his group, even though he admitted that he felt absolutely no different inside.. He continued to try to become heterosexual until he finally decided suicide was less of a sin than same-sex relationships. He drank heavily one night and drove home on a narrow road, hoping to drive into the canyon. Fortunately, he made it home alive (Schoofs, 1). Now Coates is comfortable with his sexuality and does not regret his conversion experience merely because it helped him come to terms with himself. Another man, Brandon Bauer, could not be accepted as gay by his Mormon peers. He attempted suicide at age seventeen, and soon after, he was admitted into therapy under a Mormon psychologist. He told Bauer that he was under Satans influence, that Satan was making him believe that he could not change. Bauers parents were instructed to remove all magazines that might contain male underwear models and to time his showers to prevent im from masturbating. He was told that God could forgive a murderer, but He could never forgive a homosexual. It haunts me to this day, he said. Bauer began to live a double life, one as a heterosexual with kids and a wife, and another as a homosexual who drinks and has sex. Despite the fact that he now accepts his sexuality, he admits that conversion therapy has permanently scarred him (Schoofs, 3). Many people wonder if these therapies actually work. This issue was addressed by Ariel Shidlo and Michael Schroeder, two New York psychologists. In their study, they found that five out of one hundred and fifty people tested are happy with their conversion, but each of these people still have homosexual urges (Miller, 2). It may be concluded that homosexuals are not cured but merely suppressing their feelings. Often, as in the case of Kelly Kirby, the attendees end up meeting their future partners at the conversion meetings (Schoofs, 4). These ministries actually act as a transition place for many people to come out and accept their gayness, says Jeffrey Coates (Schoofs, 5). The gay curing movement is spreading because of actions like the Christian Coalition and the Family Research Councils joint effort in launching a $200,000 ad campaign. The full-page ads feature photographs of ex-gays, talk about the physical and spiritual consequences of sin and offer the solution of conversion therapy. This kinder, gentler homophobia was the brainchild of Janet Folger, who on Nightline, confessed to supporting laws that criminalize homosexual sex, proving to some the true anti-gay hate behind the facade of Christian love (Schoofs, 1). In a study administered by Gallup, only thirteen percent of Americans onsidered homosexuality as innate in 1977. By 1996, that number had climbed to thirty one percent. The study also found that Americans are twice as likely to accept homosexuality if they believe it was not a choice (Schoofs, 2). So, is it a choice Scientific evidence says no. The evidence we now have strongly suggests that this is determined. Its not purely genetic, but there doesnt seem to be any choice in the matter. One thing that is clear is that the brain of homosexuals and heterosexuals appear to be different. Studies suggest that homosexuals in many cases developed neurologically in a ay that made them more likely to become homosexual, reported University of Massachusetts (Amherst) professor of neuroscience Geert J. De Vries (Jerome, 2). More simply put, Ask some straight guy to imagine what it would be like if he was told, You cant love women and now youre going to have to love a guy. Tell em that, and then they get it, says Dave Lemon, a man who tried for years to become heterosexual (Schoofs, 2). If it were a choice, why would someone choose it Despite improvements in openness, such as the public coming out of Ellen Degeneres, many still say homosexuality is wrong. They might point to anatomy. Our bodies are not made for homosexual sex, says Michael Johnston, president of the Kerusso Ministry, The anus was not to be penetrated (Schoofs, 3). What most people dont seem to realize is that many heterosexuals practice anal sex, and that many gay men (not to mention lesbians) never do. Joseph Nicolosi, cofounder of NARTH, a secular psychological organization, said, I think the penis was made for a vagina: I dont think it was made for another mans rectum. When Nicolosi was asked if the penis was made for the hand or the mouth, other body arts where the penis is often found, he answered sharply, I dont want to get into that (Schoofs, 4). Some insist it is morally wrong or they point to the Bible, taking the Scripture literally, and say it is a sin. Many believe marriage and relationships are to be between a man and a woman. Some Americans are concerned that the homosexual community will encourage their children to be gay or lesbian. The Boy Scouts recently fought to ban gay scoutmasters. Scout spokesman Gregg Sheilds said, A homosexual is not a role model for traditional family values (Peyser, 2). As for the religious iscrimination, The gay and lesbian community is still the community you can blatantly attack and then hide behind the Bible, said Rebecca Isaacs, political director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (Revival of Hatred, 1). America is currently in a period of backward thinking, the one step back after our two steps forward. Tolerance is the only way the United States can become united at all. We must overcome our differences, end discrimination and join this fight together. No one deserves to be mistreated as homosexuals are today. Remember that all men were created equal- even gay men.