Billie Holiday Essays (457 words) - Billie Holiday, Strange Fruit

Billie Holiday In the early twentieth century, even though slavery had been abolished years before, racism was rampant in America. There were few brave enough to speak out about what was happening. Black artists could perform in clubs, but were not able to patron those same establishments because they were designated white only. One of those black artists decided to take a stand. Billie Holiday, known as Lady Day, recorded "Strange Fruit" on April 20, 1939 at Brunswick's World Broadcasting Studios with Frankie Newton's Caf? Society Band. Much later, in 1995, Cassandra Wilson recorded a cover of this harrowing song. Billie Holidays ability to propel a listener into a time and place overshadows Cassandra Wilson's weaker version of "Strange Fruit". Billie Holiday, upon being approached with "Strange Fruit", at first was uneasy about the song. The message was so controversial it could have easily ruined her career. In spite of the risk Billie performed it anyway. The message was too important. To reinforce the inherent drama of the song the waiters, immediately before her performing, would instruct the patrons to remain absolutely silent during the performance. The house lights were turned down with only a pin-spot lighting her face. When she finished, all the lights were turned out. When the house lights came back up Billie was gone. There were no encores so the stark imagery would be seared into the white audience's mind. Billie Holidays version opens with a very solemn melody from the trumpet, followed by a somber piano solo setting the mood of the piece. She ignores the melody outlined by the introduction. She knows the impact comes from the words rather than any specific feature of the songs melodic or harmonic construction (Nicholson113). She also uses the grit in her voice and fluctuating tones to portray the message of the piece. ` Cassandra Wilson's version lacks the power of Billie Holidays. There is a mysterious quality to Cassandra's voice. Which is accentuated by an octave guitar that is keeping the rhythm, and a trumpet playing an eerie melody that seems to flow from the bowels of the hatred that this piece speaks of. Most distinctly it lacks a piano which added so much to Holidays version. Cassandra also uses fluctuating tones in her voice to convey the message, much like Billie had. The tempo of her singing is much slower, she draws out the lyrics until the last word of the verse where she abruptly cuts it off. Billie Holidays version is grander than Cassandra's in part because of the era in which it was performed. Also because of Lady Day's ability to force these brutal images into the listeners mind, making them a witness to the violent reality of racism in early twentieth century America. Billie holiday should be held in the same regard as Martin Luther King jr. and Malcom X because she paved the way for these future leaders in the fight for civil rights.

Acid Mine essays

Acid Mine essays For hundreds, even thousands of years, human beings have mined for metals and stones, and with the advent of greater technology as well as greater needs, the demands for these resources continue to grow. While these resources benefit our lives in many ways, the effects of mining can be detrimental, and one such effect is the topic of this essay, acid mine drainage (A.M.D.). The causes of A.M.D. will be discussed, along with some of the physical and biological problems associated with it. Some prevention and remediation treatments will also be considered. Acid mine drainage refers to water (leachate, drainage or seepage) that has come into contact with oxidised rocks or overburden that contains sulphide material (coal, zinc, copper, lead). (Keller, 2000; U.S.G.S.; U.S.E.P.A., 2002). A common sulphide is pyrite, or iron disulfide (FeS2), and throughout this essay it will be pyrite that will be the primary sulphide considered. Acid mine drainage is not a new phenomenon, early mining techniques utilized gravity to avoid water pooling, resulting in the water becoming polluted by acid, iron, sulphur and aluminium (U.S.E.P.A., 2002). It is most commonly associated with coal mining, especially with soft coal, coal that has high sulphur content. The pyrite that is present in coal seams will be accessible after surface mining when the overlying surfaces are removed or in deep mines that allow oxygen access to the previously inaccessible pyrite-containing coal (D.E.P. 1, 1997). After pyrite is exposed to air and water, sulphuric acid and iron hydroxide are formed, creating an acidic runoff (D.E.P. 1, 1997; 2 2002). When the water comes into contact with the pyrite, the chemical reactions that take place causes the water to increase in pH which will dissolve heavy metals which stay in solution. However, when the pH levels reach a certain stage, the iron can then precipitate out, coating sediments with the characteristic yellow, red or orange...

The Aesthetic as well as Economic Characteristics of the 'Film Europe Essay

The Aesthetic as well as Economic Characteristics of the 'Film Europe Movement, - Essay Example Nations felt an urge to create long term bilateral relations with this humungous political blitzkrieg. There after gradually & quite naturally, the ‘American influence’ begun to overflow in diverse domains. It slowly initiated to engulf spectrums such as art, theatre, culture, music, films. The next step was to classify those apparently ‘non political’ artistic components at par with the lines of the grand old American maneuver. This cultural autocracy created a stir amongst the enlightened & elitist in Europe. Film corporations like the Metro Goldwyn Mayer had already infiltrated the economies of third world nations like India by 1920 (Thomas, 1987, pp.1-2). While American film corporations’ encashed rich dividends from colonial markets, the European heavy weights were coerced to remain at a bay. This naturally sprouted a furor across the cultural horizon. The European mavericks & thespians felt that a cultural reincarnation was long overdue. German filmmakers like Dupont, Eichberg & Bolvary, plunged into the galaxy of filmdom, with the aim to break the American jinx (Thomas, 1987, pp.1-2). Their unbridled apathy against US monopoly led them to the shores of Britain, from where they churned out numerous path breaking films. This unique film movement came to be known as the ‘Film Europe Movement’, & gained massive popularity throughout the European peninsula. The noble ideals of combating capitalist aggression with socialist principles augured magically with the masses. ‘Film Europe’ managed to successfully batter up American aggression, intertwined with egalitarian theologies. The concluding research deals with the FILM EUROPE MOVEMENT with E.A. DuPont’s English film ‘Piccadilly’ juxtaposing the centre stage. The Birth of the ‘Film Europe Movement’ The culmination of the First World War had precisely ravaged up the economies of France & Italy. They were in no position t o stifle or even stand a chance against the ever expanding ‘American menace’. The calculating American theorists embarked on their global economic conquest, & by 1917, had South America, Australia, Asia Minor & vast territories of Africa amidst their grasp. The birth of the ‘Film Europe Movement’ was hence not just a united cultural Endeavour, but a collaborated strategy of economic survival. These Siamese goals gave birth to quintessential cinematic forms, the German ‘expressionism’, the French ‘impressionism’ & the Soviet schooling of ‘montage’. Interestingly, as time stroked away, films began to emerge which contained a profuse blend of two or more cinematic schooling. For example, Marcel L’Herbier’s French saga, ‘Don Juan et Faust’ borrowed extensive German expressionism throughout its making, while Karl Grune’s 1923 German biopic ‘Die Strasse’, successfully utilized F rench impressionism in its narration (Thomas, 1987, pp.2-5). Later of course, hoards of films were created blending two or more cinematic ideologies. This pan European cinematic outburst not only created an upheaval in the European domain, but also proved to be cinematically superior to its American counterparts. The unique ideas, bold subjects, & timeless concepts gave birth to films that would change the course of history itself. Geniuses like Sergei Eisenstein, Vsevold Pudovkin & Lev Kuleshov made films which enthralled film voyeurs throughout the planet. Films began to be created with an international appeal. This continental outlook started to

Dominant Cultures and Subcultures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Dominant Cultures and Subcultures - Essay Example Subcultures are mainly possessed by minority groups in the society and, therefore, have little or no influence to the dominant culture. Understanding the impact of culture is essential since one is able to learn people’s behavior. In essence, understanding the impact of culture facilitates proper planning of activities. In addition, one can study the behavior of others and make a proper judgment regarding people’s ethics. There are various avenues where cultural differences are clearly shown in the society, for instance, on religious matters and social structures. In many instances, people in the society have varied religious faiths and believe in different social constructions. Dominant cultures seem to control the political, socio-cultural and economic structures in the society. These differences in cultural constructions stress the need for comprehensive studies on culture diversity in order to know how to live harmoniously in a cultural diversified society. In order to embrace cultural diversity, the society should accept all cultures and provide a common ground for both the dominant and subcultures. In addition, proper education structures should be developed so that members of the society can learn the importance of cultural diversity. In summary, cultural diversity is an important feature for steering development in any community. In this regard, diversity should be encouraged in all spheres of

Environmental Problems and Solutions Case Study

Environmental Problems and Solutions - Case Study Example Whenever more energy has been trapped than needed, it effect can increase the climate of the earth. There are certain reasons because of which these gases trap more energy than needed. Nature has kept the atmosphere in such a balance that any meddling in its route or cycle may harm the entire cycle. The present atmosphere of our planet is according to needs of human body. But time and again man has meddled with this cycle. The excessive use of explosives either during the war or on testing basis is the basic reason for the increase in global atmosphere. The explosives used in the wars carry dangerously poisonous and hot gases that mix with the greenhouse gases 2and result in the trap of more heat than needed. Similarly, the factories emit poisonous gases. Here the developed countries like USA and EU are the greater contributors, because they have more factories than the rest of the world. The underdeveloped countries are also adding to this global warming because the vehicles used are normally so deplorably in a bad condition that they emit many times more poisonous smoke than the normal order. These haphazard practices of human beings are resulting in certain damages to the natural cycle of life. The global temperature has been changed rapidly. ... The ecosystem of our planet is also getting becoming chaotic, because of the human folly. This folly creates a vicious circle, where each problem exacerbates other problems which feedbacks into each other. A recent research of population trends, climate change, increasing pollution and emerging diseases found that 40 percent of deaths in the world could be attributed to environmental factors. Actually the ecosystem3 has been set in such a way that every species depends on the other. If one gets disturbed or destroyed, the other will definitely suffer. Sometimes even the entire species are wiped out because of certain human irregularities and indiscipline. The ozone layer is also getting damaged day by day. The destruction of ozone layer is also increasing the UV-radiation, that combined with higher ocean temperature, cause the reduction in carbon dioxide trapping mechanism of the oceanic phytoplankton biomass ,which adds to global warming process. When the warming reaches a certain level, it releases huge amounts of greenhouse gasses trapped in the permafrost. This enhances the global warming, and the polar destruction of ozone, and so on. Global warming also results in the rise of sea level. The general scientific law that liquid expands on heating is quite applicable to the rise in sea level. When the seawater gets warm, its level rises 4resulting in irreparable loss and damage to the land. Many islands disappear completely. Millions dollars worth property and business is obliterated in a few seconds. History is witness to the fact that more people have died by the after effects of the natural catastrophe than the catastrophe itself. Floods and

Electric Drive System Design, Simulation and Construction

Electric Drive System Design, Simulation and Construction Abstract In this experiment, three phase flexible inverter was used to drive a Brush Less Direct Current (BLDC) machine. Three experiments steps use three-phase inverter which is connected to resistor and inductor load and BLDC machine to examine and measure 1) Pulse Mode Modulation (PMW); 2) Three wave signal sinusoidal and 3) BLDC signal sequence. Computer simulation using MATLAB Simulink is used to analyze the laboratory result and software calculation. The speed and torque of BLDC machine can be controlled by controller using PWM technique. This BLDC machine can be modelled as Resistor and Inductor Load.   1.1 Background Many electrical load (e.g. electric motor, lighting) need a wide of range voltage, current, frequency and phase angle which is converted from electrical source (e.g. electric grid, battery) with constant voltage, frequencies, current and phase angles. This conversion mechanism use power electronics converter and one application of converter is inverter which convert DC input into AC output [1]. In this experiment, this inverter will provide a variety of voltage and frequency to drive BLDC machine in order to operate at a specific speed and torque. 1.2 Module Aims The aim of this experiment is to understand design, construction, simulation, and testing of an electrical drive system through practical experience. The procedure of this project can be divide into following steps. Research electrical drive technology. Construction of an electric drive. Simulate and understand an electric drive system. Experimental test, analysis and verification of the system Diagrammatic interpretation of software operation Production of a written technical report. 2.1 Pulse Width Modulation In this experiment, the circuit use 3 pairs of MOSFETs as shown in figure 2.1. Having set the PIC software to the PWM test mode for the controller, measurements was taken on terminal point in three pairs (J1-J2, J3-J4 and J5-J6) which indicate gate-on voltage. Figure 2.1. 3-phase MOSFET arrangement diagram. The gate-on voltage on terminal J1-J2 over time can be shown in figure xx, it consists of time-on (T-on) and time-off (T-off). Time switching period can be calculated as T=t-on+t-off and duty cycle as ratio of time-on (T-on) over time switching period. The 3 pairs of MOSFET have relatively the same switching frequency and gate-on voltage, but in the different percentage of duty cycle, as complete result shown in table xxx. From figure xx, dead time is calculated as time span from J1 when voltage start to off and J2 when voltage start to on. PMW switching frequency = Duty cycle = Figure 2.2. PWM signal for J1 (Yellow) and J2 (Green): time-on, time-off and voltage on. Figure 2.3.   PWM signal: dead time between J1 (Yellow) and J2 (Green). Table 2.1. PWM Signal (J1 to J6) 2.2 Three Phase Sine Wave Generator In this experiment, the controller is programmed with test 2 test to convert from DC supply to 3-phase AC output. The output of inverter connected to electrical load (resistor and inductor) and then voltage is measured between resistor R1. The frequency of AC output can be altered by the R22 potentiometer. By varying the setting of potentiometer, the result between resistor R1 (V1-V2) can be shown in figure 2.1 for minimum, figure 2.2 for middle, and figure 2.3 for maximum setting of potentiometer. Figure 2.4. Inverter frequency (f=1.97Hz) in the minimum setting of potentiometer Figure 2.5.   Inverter frequency (f=16.18Hz) in the middle setting of potentiometer Figure 2.6. Inverter frequency (f=19.82Hz) in the maximum setting of potentiometer Figure 2.7. PWM signal (f=10.16kHz) while at the duty cycle 23%. 2.3    BLDC Motor Control In the test-3, the controller is programmed with test 3 test to convert from DC supply to operate and control a three phase BLDC machine. BLDC machine is equipped with three Hall Effect sensors, their function is to sense the rotor position to the controller in order to make MOSFETs can make certain switching arrangement to produce a particular speed for BLDC motor. After inverter connected to hall effect sensor and to power supply of BLDC motor, the results can be shown for the sequence position between H1-H2 (figure xx), between H1-H3 (figure xx) and also the total sequence position between H1-H2-H3 in figure xx. The supply voltage for BLDC, phase A voltage is can be shown in figure xx and figure, which magnitude at around 25 V but the duty cycle fluctuate between range 37% up to 62%. Figure 2.8. H1 (Yellow) and H2 (Green) sequence at almost similar frequency (f1=132Hz and f2=131Hz) Figure 2.9.   H1 (Yellow) and H3 (Green) sequence at almost similar frequency (f1=132Hz and f3=130Hz) Figure 2.10. Relation between H1 (state 1) and voltage phase A (duty 37%). Figure 2.11. Relation between H1 (state 0) and voltage phase A (duty 62%). Figure 2.12. H1-H2-H3 command sequence. 2.4    Variable DC Supply Simulation In this Matlab simulation, DC supply was connected to resistive-inductive load with the value of R=47Ohm and L=33mH. DC output was produced by compare the triangle waveform and a reference setting point. The triangle waveform magnitude has minimum value -1 and maximum value +1 with a frequency 20kHz. The reference setting point was set at 0, 0.5 and 1 which represent duty cycle (D=0%, D=50% and D=100%). The shape of current waveform with duty cycle can be shown in figure xx. There are several screens captures with a variation of 1) the reference setting point (figure xx), 2) the triangle switching frequency and 3) the value of inductance. Figure 2.13. The output current with duty cycle D=50% and swithing frequency fs=20kHz Figure 2.14. The output current with different inductance duty cycle (D=0%, D=50%, and D=100%) Figure 2.15. The output current with different switching frequency (fs=10kHz, fs=20kHz, and fs=40kHz) Figure 2.16. The output current with different inductance value (L=1.65mH, L=3.3mH, and L=33mH) 2.5    Variable AC Supply Simulation In this AC supply, AC supply was also connected to resistive-inductive load with the value of R=47Ohm and L=33mH. AC output was produced by compare the triangle waveform and a sinusoidal control signal. The triangle waveform magnitude has minimum value -1 and maximum value +1 with a frequency 10kHz. The reference was a sine wave with frequency 50 Hz and magnitude varying from maximum +1 and minimum -1. The shape of current waveform with duty cycle can be shown in figure xx. There are several screens captures with a variation of 1) the sine wave reference signal (figure xx), 2) the triangle switching frequency and 3) the value of inductance. Figure 2.17. The output current with a sine wave reference setting fc=50Hz and a switching frequency fs=10kHz Figure 2.18.   The output current with different sine wave reference setting (fc=25Hz, fc=50Hz, and fc=100Hz) Figure 2.19. The output current with different switching frequency (fs=10kHz, fs=20kHz, and fs=40kHz) Figure 2.20. The output current with different inductance value (L=1.65mH, L=3.3mH, and L=33mH) 3.1 Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) This MS Word template (.dot file) was prepared by Dr. Jonathan I. Maletic in the Department of Computer Science at Kent State University.   This is Version 1.0.   It is a template for Thesis/Dissertations for the College of Arts and Science at KSU. 3.2 Three Phase Sine Wave Generator In this Matlab simulation, DC supply was connected to resistive-inductive load with the value of R=47Ohm and L=33mH. DC output was produced by compare the triangle waveform and a reference setting point. The triangle waveform magnitude has minimum value -1 and maximum value +1 with a frequency 20kHz. The reference setting point was set at 0, 0.5 and 1 which represent duty cycle (D=0%, D=50% and D=100%). The shape of current waveform with duty cycle can be shown in figure xx. There are several screens captures with a variation of 1) the reference setting point (figure xx), 2) the triangle switching frequency and 3) the value of inductance. 3.3 BLDC Motor Control In this AC supply, AC supply was also connected to resistive-inductive load with the value of R=47Ohm and L=33mH. AC output was produced by compare the triangle waveform and a sinusoidal control signal. The triangle waveform magnitude has minimum value -1 and maximum value +1 with a frequency 10kHz. The reference was a sine wave with frequency 50 Hz and magnitude varying from maximum +1 and minimum -1. The shape of current waveform with duty cycle can be shown in figure xx. There are several screens captures with a variation of 1) the sine wave reference signal (figure xx), 2) the triangle switching frequency and 3) the value of inductance. 3.4 Variable DC Supply Simulation In this AC supply, AC supply was also connected to resistive-inductive load with the value of R=47Ohm and L=33mH. AC output was produced by compare the triangle waveform and a sinusoidal control signal. The triangle waveform magnitude has minimum value -1 and maximum value +1 with a frequency 10kHz. The reference was a sine wave with frequency 50 Hz and magnitude varying from maximum +1 and minimum -1. The shape of current waveform with duty cycle can be shown in figure xx. There are several screens captures with a variation of 1) the sine wave reference signal (figure xx), 2) the triangle switching frequency and 3) the value of inductance. 3.5 Variable AC Supply Simulation In this AC supply, AC supply was also connected to resistive-inductive load with the value of R=47Ohm and L=33mH. AC output was produced by compare the triangle waveform and a sinusoidal control signal. The triangle waveform magnitude has minimum value -1 and maximum value +1 with a frequency 10kHz. The reference was a sine wave with frequency 50 Hz and magnitude varying from maximum +1 and minimum -1. The shape of current waveform with duty cycle can be shown in figure xx. There are several screens captures with a variation of 1) the sine wave reference signal (figure xx), 2) the triangle switching frequency and 3) the value of inductance.

George Orwells Nineteen Eighty-Four 1984 :: essays research papers

1984 I think that today's society is a "half version" of George Owell's novel, 1984, in some ways it is similar and in others, uniquely different. The closest we come today to a "Big Brother" is the mob. The people are also controlled by watchful security cameras and subliminal messages. However, something in life today is very different from that of 1984, it is the people. In the words of the famous lyricist, "Power to the People." In analyzing "Big Brother," there are similarities between it and the mob. The Mafia is a crime family that can see everything, there is no going against the mob or else someone is going to die. The Mafia is so widespread that it has operatives all over keeping an eye out for cops or law enforcement, this is the Mafia's "telescreens" (Orwell 6). Another startling similarity between the mob and "Big Brother" is the Mafia's strange way of making someone disappear or "vaporize" (Orwell ). Almost unknowingly a person's identity can be changed, altered, or deleted. Authorities use security and surveillance cameras to observe criminal activities or possibly every day activities. Too much surveillance liberties are given to police or FBI. By using hi-tech cameras which can actually document a person's life. Unknowingly, there may be a cute little camera installed in the bedroom. Another way that today's society controls the masses is subliminal messages. Illegal now, subliminal messages were widely used in the entertainment business, especially during the fifties. An example is that movie makers would add a split-second commercial add for popcorn and soda during a movie. Customers would actually be manipulated into buying these products. Even though, this kind of brainwashing is illegal, it is still very hard to detect, who's to say that we are not bombarded by subliminal messages just by watching commercials on television. This is too risky, to think that a person's actions and emotions can be swayed by someone else's perversion's. Again, this is very similar to 1984. Of all the things there are today that would make it impossible for there to be an inner or outer party, as in 1984, is that there is each other. No matter how hard our government tries, they cannot reach everyone. Contrary to 1984, where they do get everyone, I feel that was extreme and unlikely. I find it highly unlikely that a form of government can find a way to get the whole