Most Common Plastics

Below are five of the most common plastics used for different applications along with their properties, uses and trade names. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Polyethylene Terephthalate—PET or PETE—is a durable thermoplastic that shows tough resistance to chemicals, high energy radiation, moisture, weather, wear, and abrasion. This clear or pigmented plastic is available with trade names such as: Ertalyte TX, Sustadur PET, TECADUR PET, Rynite, Unitep PET, Impet, Nuplas, Zellamid ZL 1400, Ensitep, Petlon, and Centrolyte. PET is a general purpose plastic that is made by polycondensation of PTA with ethylene glycol (EG). PET is commonly used for making soft drink and water bottles, salad trays, salad dressing containers, peanut butter containers, medicine jars, biscuit trays, rope, bean bags, and combs. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a semi flexible to hard plastic that can be easily processed by catalytic polymerization of ethylene in slurry, solution, or gas phase reactors. It is resistant to chemicals, moisture, and any sort of impact but cannot stand temperatures exceeding 160 degrees C. HDPE is naturally in the opaque state but can be colored to any requirement. HDPE products can be safely used for storing food and drinks and so it is used for shopping bags, freezer bags, milk bottles, ice cream containers, and juice bottles. It is also used for shampoo and conditioner bottles, soap bottles, detergents, bleaches, and agricultural pipes. HDPE is available under trade names of HiTec, Playboard, King Colorboard, Paxon, Densetec, King PlastiBal, Polystone, and Plexar.   Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is present in both rigid and flexible forms as unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride PVC-U and Plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride PCV-P. PVC can be obtained from ethylene and salt by vinyl chloride polymerization. PVC is resistant to fires because of its high chlorine content and is also resistant to oils and chemicals except aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones and cyclic ethers. PVC is durable and can withstand aggressive environmental factors. PVC-U is used for plumbing pipes and fittings, wall cladding, roof sheeting, cosmetic containers, bottles, window frames, and door frames. PVC-P is commonly used for cable sheathing, blood bags, blood tubing, watch straps, garden hoses, and shoe soles. PVC is commonly available under trade names of Apex, Geon, Vekaplan, Vinika, Vistel, and Vythene. Polypropylene (PP) Polypropylene (PP) is a strong yet flexible plastic that can withstand high temperatures up to 200 degrees C. PP is manufactured from propylene gas in presence of a catalyst such as titanium chloride. Being a lightweight material, PP has high tensile strength and is highly resistant to corrosion, chemicals, and moisture. Polypropylene is used to make dip bottles and ice cream tubs, margarine tubs, potato chip bags, straws, microwave meal trays, kettles, garden furniture, lunch boxes, prescription bottles, and blue packing tape. It is available under trade names such as Valtec, Valmax, Vebel, Verplen, Vylene, Oleplate and Pro-Fax. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is soft and flexible as compared to HDPE. Low Density Polyethylene shows good chemical resistance and excellent electrical properties. At low temperatures, it shows high impact strength. LDPE is compatible with most foods and household chemicals and acts as a poor oxygen barrier. Because it has very high elongation as a result of its molecular structure, LDPE is used in stretch wraps. This translucent plastic is mainly used for plastic food wrap, garbage bags, sandwich bags, squeeze bottles, black irrigation tubes, garbage bins, and plastic grocery bags. Low density polyethylene is made from the polymerization of ethylene in an autoclave or tubular reactors at very high pressures. LDPE is available in the market under the following trade names: Venelene, Vickylen, Dowlex, and Flexomer.

Life As a Fashion Designer. - 1786 Words

Introduction The career in which I am most interested in the textile industry is that of the fashion designer. A fashion designer is the person who comes up with the ideas and designs today, for the clothes that we, the consumers, will be wearing tomorrow. This alone, the power to inspire the world of fashion , would be enough to make me want to become a designer, but designing clothes is also a way of expressing yourself. Each designer is unique and thus the clothes that each create are just as unique. Although the job of a fashion designer may seem easy, there are many abilities involved in the job. Some of these abilities, which I posses, include a love for fashion, understanding of color and combinations of color, and the ability to†¦show more content†¦Benefits vary with employers. Designers often negotiate their salaries and benefits individually with employers. Some firms provide vacation and group health insurance plans. Self employed designers must supply themselves with their o wn insurance, but it also means that their schedule is very flexible and allows them to take time off to travel for business or pleasure at any time which is convenient to them. Interview Basement Couture by Marian Buckley In a Ladbroke Grove basement studio flat, I sit down with designer Francesca Marotta. This is couture heaven, W11 style. Francesca says she always knew she wanted to be a fashion designer. When I was 4 I said to my Mum, I am going to work in fashion. By the age of 10 Francesca was whipping out the family Singer to run-up dolls clothes. I remember when my Mum used to go shopping, I would open up the sewing machine and make clothes for my sisters dolls, and then when I heard the car come back I would quickly put the sewing machine away again. After studying at university in Belgium (her family relocated to Belgium, leaving Sicily when she was 5) Francesca moved to London to study for a BTEC National Diploma at The London College of Fashion. She never completed the course. They never liked my style, she explains. The London College of Fashion is very good for technique, but at the time they werent broadminded, they werent like St Martins -Show MoreRelatedMy Life Of Becoming A Fashion Designer973 Words   |  4 PagesAs a little boy plays with his toy fire trucks, he dreams of what it would be like to be a real-life firefighter and to help save people. A little girl plays dress up with her friends and mixes and matches different outfits for their fashion show. She dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Dreams are the start of creating to reality. Some of us like these children dream and aspire to grow up and be a real world version of a pretend reality. Some of us develop a dream along the way. We all have aRead MoreYves S aint Laurents Life Of Becoming A Fashion Designer1392 Words   |  6 Pagesmother to wear. He also enjoyed making little doll figures. The fashion world was a place of piece in Yves world of torture. In school he was often bullied due to be homosexual. When Saint Laurent was at the age of 17 years old his mother took him to Paris to officially pursue his dreams of becoming a fashion designer. He enrolled in to a stint fashion school, but that was short live when he won a design contest. Due to winning that fashion design contest he was given the opportunity to meet Vogue editorRead MoreBecoming a Fashion Designer Essay1334 Words   |  6 PagesSteve Mergarten Mrs. Malaspino English 12 A November 28, 2009 Becoming a Fashion Designer Cynthia Nellis, in her column â€Å"Day in the Life of a Fashion Couture Designer†, says, â€Å"... nothing is ever typical in the world of fashion...no day is ever routine, although we begin and end each day more or less the same: in early, out late.† Working as a Fashion Designer is a very busy, hard and challenging job. You have to provide a lot of strengths in creativity, marketing and determination; to beRead MoreCareers of Design: Interior and Fashion Essay1715 Words   |  7 Pagesspecial occupations fall into: a fashion designer and an interior designer. Fine Arts is a unique category that some adults’ jobs fit into. Fine Arts employs a majority of people who are artistic and are creative. However, not all the employed enjoy the Arts; some of the careers are simplistic and simply follow orders of a creative boss. These jobs do not simply create accessories or vanities for people, these careers create enjoyable objects, experiences, and settings. Life without the workers of theRead MoreSupply Map Chain Essay847 Words   |  4 Pagesproduct mix helps the fashion designer to control the target market. The distributor of the finished garment later determines how the product would distribute throughout the department and discount stores. The target market will help the designer to assess the success of the garment. The selection of the garments plays a volatile role in the supply chain because without the right garment/raw materials the finished product may not result to the vision of the designer. â€Å"The fashion industry is c haracterizedRead MoreFashion Trends And The Fashion Industry1087 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to Scratchhard.com, the fashion industry generates an average of $20 billion each year. Fashion designers are the heart of the fashion world. The fashion industry has grown to popularity by dominating the worldwide economy, media, workplace, and everyday life. Clothing trends have changed over the last century due to historical events and the evolution of technology. With the gift of creativity and skill of constructing clothing, fashion designers complete a degree in designing, researchRead MoreFashion Design Is The Top Of Your Head, Right?1384 Words   |  6 PagesWithout fashion designers, we would all be naked. Do you know what it takes to become a fashion designer? You can probably name a good 10 designers of the top of your head, right? Now, think about how many people are in college at FIDM or the NY School of Fashion, or the many other schools that fashion designers strive to go to, thousands of people. The fashion industry is one of the most competitive businesses out there. It is said that, â€Å"while fashion designers must be creative, they also needRead MoreMy Career Choice: Fashion Designer Essay775 Words   |  4 PagesIn life I want to become a fashion designer. My goals are to create clothing that is for all sizes, ages, and genders. In my clothing I want t show a creative side of my art ability and I want to make my clothing affordable for all as well. I think I influenced myself to wanting to become a fashion designer because I have a passion for art and wanting to become a fashion designer. I enjoy making sketches of clothing that one day will hopefully be available in stores all over. Fashion designingRead MoreThe Effect of Globalization on Fashion with Special Reference to the Impact of Japanese Designs on the European Scene1521 Words   |  7 Pagesct Analyse the effect of ‘Globalization’ on fashion with special reference to the impact of Japanese designs on the European scene. The definition of globalisation is quite complex and extremely controversial. However globalization with reference to the fashion industry helps defines the development of what has been termed as „world fashion‟. Preferred garments of young people is quite often the same. A phenomenon made possible by the exploitative mechanisms of globalization. The globalization ofRead More Fashion History Essay1345 Words   |  6 Pagesduring the last several decades, which played an important role in modern fashion in the UK. Everyone has a different and unique dressing style in their general life. Some styles are influenced in vintage styles which is attributing to the deep effects of old vogue, and another group of dressing styles are inclined into the fresh element. According to those different styles some of them are even evolved in the milestones in fashion history. To start this essay, it will introduce the evaluation of

Texting and Driving Should be Stopped - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 538 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2019/04/12 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Texting and Driving Essay Did you like this example? Introduction: Attention getter: Imagine you were driving and suddenly you get a text message. Hearing the text message ringtone makes you start thinking about who sent the message and what the text is about. You eventually decide to pick up your phone and start texting, next thing you know you got hit by a car. Relevance: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Nearly 500,000 young adults are injured each year due to distracted driving, with texting and driving even more deadly than drunk driving. Our society is one where multi-tasking has become second nature and communication is instant resulting in people being overly confident in their ability to safely text while driving. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Texting and Driving Should be Stopped" essay for you Create order Credibility: The reason why I am giving this speech is because, I have had a friend that was injured due to someone texting and driving. Reducing texting while driving can save many peoples lives. Preview: Today I will be talking about: The severe dangers of dangers of texting and driving, What can we do to stop it from happening and persuading everyone to stop texting while driving. Transition: First I will inform you on how dangerous texting and driving is: Body: A. According to Texting and Driving Statistics: Texting Thumb Bands website, The minimal time your attention is off the road while texting is 5 seconds, which at a speed of 55mph you would have traveled the length of a football field without looking at the road. B. Here are some frightening facts according to StopTextsStopWrecks.org: Distracted driving is the number one killer of American teens A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a crash than a non-texter. Texting while driving is 6 times more dangerous than driving while being drunk. Distracted driving causes 25% of all accidents, 1.6 million a year and 330,000 injuries per year. Transition: Now that you are aware of how lethal texting while driving is, Lets look at how we can stop this from happening. Solution: There are many things we can do to overcome this dangerous habit of our generation. A. According to the NHTSA at Distracted Driving: Distraction.gov, Since 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation has launched a variety of creative campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of texting and driving. Many states have stepped up to pass tough laws against texting, talking on a cell phone, and other distractions. B. How will you stop texting and driving? StopTextsStopWrecks lists a few tips: Out of sight, out of mind. Put your phone somewhere out of reach so you cant get to it while driving. Silence is golden. Turn off the notifications so you wont be tempted to look at your phone. Find your app. There are applications that can help you stop texting and driving. Designate a texter. Use an extra pair of thumbs and let your passenger text for you. Transition: In conclusion Conclusion A. We discussed how dangerous texting and driving really is. B. Went over solutions to resolve this epidemic. C. Persuaded you to refrain from texting and driving. Many teens and young adults feel like nothing bad will ever happen to them and they can beat the odds but please dont let that be you and become a statistic STOP texting while driving!

America Needs High School Incentive Programs To Help...

Throughout the lives of individuals, everyone imagines the dream job or the job that is going to make the most money. Most of these jobs need to make it so a higher education like college is needed to be able to even make it in the field. College is not by any means cheap, depending on what college is chosen, yes it can be less money but it is still thousands of dollars by the time the degree is earned. Many people that want to go to college cannot afford it, therefore cannot reach the dream job. In order to make college accessible to those who are truly deserving, incentive programs such as offering financial stipends which can be earned through academic success in high school need to be offered. Whoever goes to college after high†¦show more content†¦This is only one thing students have to pay when going to college. Books and supplies are another expense which can add up quickly because the books the professors require students to buy are very expensive. Room and board is also very pricey, most of the time the colleges and universities offer everything from the bed, to bathrooms and study areas for students. Transportation cost can also rack up if the student lives off campus. Even if the student does live on campus, some colleges allow cars and the students end up using them a lot for shopping or doing activities outside of college. In the article â€Å"State Financial Policies and College Student Persistence: A National Study†, Rong Chen and Edward P. St. John state that, â€Å"State governments play an important role in American higher education through the direct subsidy of public institutions. Over the last half-century, however, state funding of higher education has undergone significant changes. Traditionally, state funds for higher education were mostly allocated to public institutions to maintain low tuition for students and to promote equal access†. In the past, the government assisted in paying for a higher education. Equal a ccess is what everyone wants to have because people that do not have a steady flow of income or have a small amount of income can still go to college and maybe get a better job than working a mill for a lifetime. The fact thatShow MoreRelatedSecretary Of Education Report Charts The Future Of United States Higher Education1061 Words   |  5 PagesSecretary of Education Recommendation Paper DaWayne D. Nettles Columbia College 2015 The Secretary of Education report charts the future of United States higher education and outlines various recommendations to improve it. As higher education evolves in unexpected ways, this new landscape demands innovation and flexibility from the institutions that serve the nation’s learners. The recommendations mentioned include assess, cost and affordability, financial aid, learning, transparencyRead MoreThe Standards Of American Education Essay1487 Words   |  6 Pages Current societal standards have condition people to aim for a prestigious degree that will help make it s holder successful. Of course, society defines success, for an individual, as being highly intelligent, outgoing, wealthy, and family-oriented. Yet, many American citizens are still stuck trying to meet the first item in the success definition. If a person refuses to attend post-secondary school in fear that the certificate of completion will offer no return on investment, or decides toRead MoreCol lege Athletes Should Not Be Paid1592 Words   |  7 PagesThere has been on ongoing discussion between college athletes and the NCAA on whether they should be compensated for the work they do for their selective school. Student athletes deserve to be paid to invest in their needs, and the schools have the money to do so. College Athletes have made the case that they are no longer student athletes, but are on the clock workers. The NCAA accumulates around 11 billion dollars in revenue a year, more money than the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Many writers such as JoeRead MoreShould School Districts Offer Signing Bonuses to Their Teachers?1807 Words   |  8 PagesShould School Districts Offer Signing Bonuses? Image your child’s school district can’t afford to offer signing bonuses for better teachers, what does that mean for your child? It may mean that your child may have a less qualified teacher because of where they live as oppose to one of your co-workers whose district can afford signing bonuses. Or does a signing bonus allow school districts to beef up staff when teachers are at an all time shortage? I believe signing bonuses are a great way to wooRead MoreNearly Every State In The U.S. Has Adopted A Set Of Educational1167 Words   |  5 PagesS.S. (Shanahan, 2015), put into place in hopes of improving America s educational system. We have finally recognized the need for our educational system to evolve with our economy and how vital it is to promote college and career readiness in school-aged children; but, are we going about it all wrong? Uniform Standards are not what our educational system needs to evolve, and have shown no evidence in improving education in Ame rica; in fact, we may be struggling more now than we ever were beforeRead MoreAnalysis : Broken The Code Essay1606 Words   |  7 Pagesmakes sense to each student. This is accomplished by first taking time to understand through an evaluation with both verbal and written components of how the student thinks and approaches grade level math concepts. Next, a personalized learning program is tailor-made for each student.   Specially trained, MATHNASIUM certified tutors provide instruction, encouragement, and warm, friendly interaction. The vibe and culture of the learning center is open, welcoming, and fun. Each student works one-on-oneRead MoreThe Increase Of Minimum Wage3681 Words   |  15 PagesThe Increase of Minimum Wage Increasing minimum wage in America would give most people a chance of having a better standard of living. Many people have become casualties of minimum wage because it is so low that people can barely live off of this low pay. This has happened because smaller businesses do not have the money to increase their employee s’ monthly pay, thus eating away at company profits. Therefore, people should take into consideration of those making minimum wage, and having to supportRead MoreCollege Is The Huge Cost1803 Words   |  8 Pagesreliable job, citizens need to have a good education and qualifications. Students who wish to study at higher education levels are now finding it more difficult to decide about furthering their education. Studies have found that the primary reason young people are not attending college is the enormous cost. Nearly three out of four college graduates have borrowed loans to cover their tuition costs, running up a remarkable debt for each student. Attendi ng and graduating from college is still one of theRead MoreShould The Player Become A League Average Starter?2222 Words   |  9 Pagesif they continue to play and attend college, they could hurt themselves and lose out on all the money. But what happens when the athlete doesn’t make it? Then he becomes just another person in his early 20s without a college degree, looking for a job. But what if colleges were to offer the players an added incentive to stay, promise a type of salary so the athlete could make some extra money to help with his tuition cost, maintain a social life, and stay in school to finish his degree? Because evenRead MoreHigh Education Is A Modern Day Crisis3165 Words   |  13 Pagesuniversity or college in America has gradually been increasing making the pursuit for a degree even more expensive than before. The escalation of the affordability of seeking a higher education is a modern day crisis! A college degree is very important in today’s fields predominantly due to the increase in competition for a job. Degrees are viewed as a requirement for a numerous amount of jobs even though one is not guaranteed work in that field. Compared to other countries around the world, America has been

Exploring Adolescent Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances Free Essays

Exploring Adolescent Use of Anabolic Steroids Since the introduction of anabolic steroids, the main objective of using them has been widely abused. The use of these substances has steadily increased throughout the years. As popularity of anabolic steroids escalated, so has its demand. We will write a custom essay sample on Exploring Adolescent Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances or any similar topic only for you Order Now With the inception of anabolic steroids in the world of professional sports, the acceptance of doping amongst athletes was positive. During the 1970s, there were no repercussions for taking anabolic steroids, and so athletes, especially football players and weight-lifters, were trying to get that physical advantage over their competitors. Many professional baseball and football players of this most recent generation have used anabolic steroids. In football there was the great Lawrence Taylor, Bill Romanowski, and Shawne Merriman. In baseball, a steroid scandal involved the great Barry Bonds, and numerous baseball prodigies who juiced up such as Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, and Manny Ramirez. Not only have baseball and football players used anabolic steroids, but other types of athletes, such as power-lifters, as well. In track and field, Tim Montgomery was cited for doping. In recent years, female track and field athletes such as Marion Jones were busted for using anabolic steroids. With the accessibility of anabolic steroids increasing at an alarming rate, a person has to wonder what kind of effect anabolic steroids could have on adolescents? If doping really is becoming accepted amongst professional athletes, what kind of influence will it have on the adolescents? This research analysis essay will be exploring the physical and mental risks and consequences for adolescents using anabolic steroids as well as their motivation for doping. Steroids were originally developed to administer to hypogonadism in the 1930s (Volkow 1). Through experimenting, scientists discovered that the use of anabolic steroids could generate muscle growth. This discovery led to the abuse of anabolic steroids in the sporting world. Technological experimentation and advances over time enabled researchers to identify many types of anabolic steroids. In researching the effects of anabolic steroids, scientists also detected many side effects from using anabolic steroids, although much is still unknown regarding their long-term side ffects (Kusserow 9). There are two ways of taking anabolic steroids, one way is to take them orally or by injection. In taking anabolic steroids with these two methods, an adolescent can severely damage the endocrine system, musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, the hepatic system, and the skin (Volkow 5). A major health defect of taking anabolic steroids is that it affects the endocrine system. The endocrine sy stem is a gland system that is responsible for the discharge of hormones that assist in regulating certain bodily processes, such as metabolism, growth, and development. One of the important factors that the endocrine system controls is the mood of a person. The human body already secretes certain hormones into the body to keep bodily processes functioning the way they were supposed to. By taking anabolic steroids, an adolescent is disrupting the natural production of hormones (Volkow 4). The endocrine system only secretes a certain amount of hormones a day to prevent imbalance. If the endocrine system secretes too many hormones into the human body, there will be a hormonal imbalance which could lead to disease or abnormal development. Taking anabolic steroids can cause reversible changes, which include sperm count deduction, infertility of sperm, and testicle shrinkage (Volkow 4). In males, irreversible changes may occur by taking anabolic steroids such as feminization and male-pattern baldness (Volkow 4). Although anabolic steroids may physically enhance a person’s appearance, the damage caused by anabolic steroids is something many adolescents are overlooking. The human body normally releases testosterone and other hormones that causes growth, and stops the release of hormones as well. However, taking anabolic steroids as an adolescent results in the synthetic release of hormones. This leads to a surplus of sex hormone levels that can prematurely signal the bones to stop growing (Volkow 4). Anabolic steroid use may cause more frequent tendon injuries due to â€Å"skeletal muscle adaptations taking place rather rapidly in comparison to connective tissue† (Hoffman 186). Also, anabolic steroid use causes severe acne based on research done by the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (Hoffman 184). Not only can steroids stunt your growth as an adolescent, it can cause severe damage to the circulatory and hepatic systems. The circulatory system is responsible for the circulation of blood throughout the body. Other responsibilities include the removal of bodily wastes and the transference of nutrients to the cells. By taking anabolic steroids, an adolescent is increasing the risk of sustaining a heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease (Volkow 4; Hoffman 184-185). According to Kusserow, physicians conducting a study/research involving former steroid users noticed â€Å"links, without consensus on degree, to cardiovascular disease† and anabolic steroids (Kusserow 12). The clotting of blood in the blood vessels keeps blood from flowing to the heart, which may cause heart damage. An adolescent can experience a stroke from having a blood flow disruption to the brain. Anabolic steroids elevate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which is the main factor in having a disruption to the body’s blood flow (Hoffman 185). The hepatic system is the liver. The liver’s main responsibility is detoxifying the human body. At this point in time, living without a liver is impossible. So, if the liver were to have a blood flow disruption, the liver would fail, resulting in potential death. Using anabolic steroids may â€Å"increase risk of liver tumors and liver damage† (Hoffman 184). Internal bleeding may occur from the rupture of a liver tumor (Volkow 5). Two of the most alarming consequences of taking anabolic steroids are the change in behavior/mood and how it affects a person’s mental status. Anabolic steroid use causes violent, aggressive behavior and irritability; approximately 60% of anabolic steroid users experience this change in behavior (Hoffman 187). Tony Mandarich, once proclaimed to be the â€Å"greatest offensive lineman prospect ever,â€Å" said that his steroid use caused his aggression to skyrocket on and off the field. â€Å"The Incredible Bulk† punched an Ohio State player for no reason before the football game even started and told him he â€Å"was going to die today† (Kozak). Anabolic steroid use also affected his thinking. Mandarich’s past steroid use caused him to say things that he would never say were he not on steroids. â€Å"Some of the stuff I said, when I look back now, is just embarrassing,† says Tony Mandarich (Kozak). Although elevated aggressiveness may be beneficial for athletes, that is not the case with your ordinary citizen. With these behavioral changes, an anabolic steroid user is much more likely to fight with other people. This is especially dangerous due to the fact that the steroid user is most likely bigger in size and strength than their opponent. A person may experience a psychotic episode where the steroid user will be in a blind rage, thus disabling their ability to control their emotions. In this event, an adolescent on anabolic steroids could injure many of his peers at school, possibly even kill them. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), â€Å"a recent study suggests that the mood and behavioral effects seen during anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse may result from secondary hormonal changes† (Volkow 4). This is especially true with Heidi Krieger. In females, masculinity may occur both physically and mentally with long-term use of anabolic steroids (Volkow 4). With Heidi Krieger, now known as Andreas Krieger, her long-term anabolic steroid use caused her to become masculine. Not only was she physically changing, the anabolic steroids caused her to believe that she was a man. In an interview with former European women’s shot put champion, she was asked about her past anabolic steroid use and how it caused her to physically and mentally change genders. She said, â€Å"I felt much more attracted to women and just felt like a man. But I knew I was not lesbian† (Cnn. com). One of the many questions researchers ask is â€Å"why†? Many wonder what are the motivational factors in a person’s choice to use anabolic steroids. One of the main factors to this question would be appearance (Kusserow 6). Throughout magazines are pictures displaying a person with rock-hard abs and bulging biceps. On television, an adolescent may see a commercial of a man who is extremely big and strong. 57% of adolescents participating in a survey pointed to magazines and 7% pointed to entertainment as sources of influence (Kusserow 8). Nowadays, society’s perception of the prototypical male is being big and strong. Due to pop culture, male adolescents have this newfound belief that they must improve their appearance to match the appearance of the prototypical male (Kusserow 6). Also, in today’s society peer approval is a must amongst most high school adolescents. Teenagers see their friends getting â€Å"jacked† by using anabolic steroids so they try and imitate those actions since it looks easy. With the correct training regimen, adolescents may accomplish their goals in getting big with great success. According to Richard P. Kusserow, 89% of anabolic steroid users reported that they were satisfied with the results they were hoping for when they first started using anabolic steroids (Kusserow 7). Due to the successful use of anabolic steroids, 97% of users â€Å"agree that the physical effects encouraged them to continue using steroids (Kusserow 7). For example, Tony Mandarich was influenced by his brother to use anabolic steroids so that he could increase size, strength, and athletic performance. His anabolic steroid use allowed him to be able to bench press 225 pounds an incredible 39 times while being able to maintain a 4. 69 40-yard dash. That is a godly feat for a man that is 6 foot 6 and 315 pounds. When asked about his past anabolic steroid use, Mandarich said,†You’re not supposed to be as strong as I am. You’re not supposed to be as fast as I am. You’re not supposed to be as good as I am† (Kozak). Apparently, without anabolic steroid use, Tony Mandarich would never have become the college football player that he was. Another motive adolescents have for using anabolic steroids is the pursuit for the improvement of athletic performance (Adolescent Steroid Abuse). Through the use of anabolic steroids, an adolescent can increase muscle mass, strength, and training capacity (Kusserow 7). According to Kusserow, many adolescents first use anabolic steroids at the age of 16 and that 85% of the users started by age 17 (Kusserow 5). Much of this thought process has to do with famous role model athletes. â€Å"Users believe that many high-level athletes have used steroids, and 42 percent say this influenced them to start using† (Kusserow 8). An adolescent varsity football player trying to obtain a football scholarship from a prestigious NCAA Division I football powerhouse may see an NFL football player that they admire, and look up to, using anabolic steroids. The adolescent could potentially try and imitate the NFL player’s actions due to this belief. With football scholarships from prestigious Division I football colleges being limited and competition amongst football players across the United States being extensive, adolescents will do all that they can to achieve their goal. Additionally, adolescents may view the benefits in using anabolic steroids as more positive than negative. If using anabolic steroids can help these adolescents get to a great school such as the University of Southern California or the University of Texas, the side effects of using anabolic steroids could be something they are willing to risk. Another motive that could cause an adolescent in using anabolic steroids in improving athletic performance is the pressure they receive from adults, including their own parents (Kusserow 8). 55% of adolescent anabolic steroid users claim that their parents know about their use of anabolic steroids and that the parents do not care (Kusserow 7). â€Å"People may give a certain amount of slack to football players because there’s this unspoken sense that in order to play the game well, you need an edge,† says Todd Boyd (Klosterman). If an adolescent can play well enough in sports to generate interest from college scouts, there is a good chance that the adolescent can get an athletic scholarship to help support their parents financially. Nowadays, college tuition is skyrocketing. It costs approximately $22,000 annually to attend the University of New Hampshire for an in-state student, and roughly $12,000 extra if you are out of state. With the recent economic downturn, many families do not have many financial options. Financial aid can only get you so far and the ability to take out a loan has become increasingly hard in this economy. Assuming an 18 year old adolescent is out of state and going to be attending the University of New Hampshire for four years, the adolescent would be saving $136,000 if he were able to get a full-boat scholarship. This is not even taking into account the annual increase in tuition that occurs after every school year and money for miscellaneous things. Although an adolescent’s parents may not be telling them directly to use anabolic steroids, the parents could be indirectly encouraging them to â€Å"juice upâ€Å" by placing tons of pressure on their kids. Adults, whether it is the parents or the coaches, place immense pressure on their kids to compete and win, while conveying mixed messages of what are acceptable ways to achieve that goal (Kusserow 7). Adolescents may interpret those messages as, â€Å"It’s okay to use steroids as long as you succeed and do not get caught† or, â€Å"Do what must be done to achieve your goal†. If this is the universal belief amongst adolescents across the United States, how long will it be before adolescents begin to interpret other topics, such as violence or drug dealing, in the same manner. Works Cited Adolescent Steroid Abuse. † Adolescent Steroid Abuse. Case Western Reserve University. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Hoffman, Jay R. , and Nicholas A. Ratamess. â€Å"Medical Issues Associated with Anabolic Steroid Use: Are They Exaggerated? † Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 01 June 2006. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. Klosterman, Chuck. â€Å"Why We Look the Other Way. † E SPN. com. ESPN Internet Ventures, 21 Mar. 2007. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Kozak, Kory. â€Å"Steroids Fueled Spectacular Rise and Fall. † ESPN. com. ESPN Internet Ventures, 17 Apr. 2009. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Pleitgen, Frederik. Athlete Says Sports Steroids Changed Him from Woman to man. † CNN. com. Cable News Network, 11 Aug. 2008. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . United States of America. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Inspector General. Adolescent Steroid Use. Richard P. Kusserow. Department of Health and Human Services, 1991. Print. United States of America. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute of Health. Anabolic Steroid Abuse. Nora D. Volkow. National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2001. National Institute of Drug Abuse Research Report Series. How to cite Exploring Adolescent Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances, Essay examples Exploring Adolescent Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances Free Essays Exploring Adolescent Use of Anabolic Steroids Since the introduction of anabolic steroids, the main objective of using them has been widely abused. The use of these substances has steadily increased throughout the years. As popularity of anabolic steroids escalated, so has its demand. We will write a custom essay sample on Exploring Adolescent Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances or any similar topic only for you Order Now With the inception of anabolic steroids in the world of professional sports, the acceptance of doping amongst athletes was positive. During the 1970s, there were no repercussions for taking anabolic steroids, and so athletes, especially football players and weight-lifters, were trying to get that physical advantage over their competitors. Many professional baseball and football players of this most recent generation have used anabolic steroids. In football there was the great Lawrence Taylor, Bill Romanowski, and Shawne Merriman. In baseball, a steroid scandal involved the great Barry Bonds, and numerous baseball prodigies who juiced up such as Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, and Manny Ramirez. Not only have baseball and football players used anabolic steroids, but other types of athletes, such as power-lifters, as well. In track and field, Tim Montgomery was cited for doping. In recent years, female track and field athletes such as Marion Jones were busted for using anabolic steroids. With the accessibility of anabolic steroids increasing at an alarming rate, a person has to wonder what kind of effect anabolic steroids could have on adolescents? If doping really is becoming accepted amongst professional athletes, what kind of influence will it have on the adolescents? This research analysis essay will be exploring the physical and mental risks and consequences for adolescents using anabolic steroids as well as their motivation for doping. Steroids were originally developed to administer to hypogonadism in the 1930s (Volkow 1). Through experimenting, scientists discovered that the use of anabolic steroids could generate muscle growth. This discovery led to the abuse of anabolic steroids in the sporting world. Technological experimentation and advances over time enabled researchers to identify many types of anabolic steroids. In researching the effects of anabolic steroids, scientists also detected many side effects from using anabolic steroids, although much is still unknown regarding their long-term side ffects (Kusserow 9). There are two ways of taking anabolic steroids, one way is to take them orally or by injection. In taking anabolic steroids with these two methods, an adolescent can severely damage the endocrine system, musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, the hepatic system, and the skin (Volkow 5). A major health defect of taking anabolic steroids is that it affects the endocrine system. The endocrine sy stem is a gland system that is responsible for the discharge of hormones that assist in regulating certain bodily processes, such as metabolism, growth, and development. One of the important factors that the endocrine system controls is the mood of a person. The human body already secretes certain hormones into the body to keep bodily processes functioning the way they were supposed to. By taking anabolic steroids, an adolescent is disrupting the natural production of hormones (Volkow 4). The endocrine system only secretes a certain amount of hormones a day to prevent imbalance. If the endocrine system secretes too many hormones into the human body, there will be a hormonal imbalance which could lead to disease or abnormal development. Taking anabolic steroids can cause reversible changes, which include sperm count deduction, infertility of sperm, and testicle shrinkage (Volkow 4). In males, irreversible changes may occur by taking anabolic steroids such as feminization and male-pattern baldness (Volkow 4). Although anabolic steroids may physically enhance a person’s appearance, the damage caused by anabolic steroids is something many adolescents are overlooking. The human body normally releases testosterone and other hormones that causes growth, and stops the release of hormones as well. However, taking anabolic steroids as an adolescent results in the synthetic release of hormones. This leads to a surplus of sex hormone levels that can prematurely signal the bones to stop growing (Volkow 4). Anabolic steroid use may cause more frequent tendon injuries due to â€Å"skeletal muscle adaptations taking place rather rapidly in comparison to connective tissue† (Hoffman 186). Also, anabolic steroid use causes severe acne based on research done by the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (Hoffman 184). Not only can steroids stunt your growth as an adolescent, it can cause severe damage to the circulatory and hepatic systems. The circulatory system is responsible for the circulation of blood throughout the body. Other responsibilities include the removal of bodily wastes and the transference of nutrients to the cells. By taking anabolic steroids, an adolescent is increasing the risk of sustaining a heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease (Volkow 4; Hoffman 184-185). According to Kusserow, physicians conducting a study/research involving former steroid users noticed â€Å"links, without consensus on degree, to cardiovascular disease† and anabolic steroids (Kusserow 12). The clotting of blood in the blood vessels keeps blood from flowing to the heart, which may cause heart damage. An adolescent can experience a stroke from having a blood flow disruption to the brain. Anabolic steroids elevate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which is the main factor in having a disruption to the body’s blood flow (Hoffman 185). The hepatic system is the liver. The liver’s main responsibility is detoxifying the human body. At this point in time, living without a liver is impossible. So, if the liver were to have a blood flow disruption, the liver would fail, resulting in potential death. Using anabolic steroids may â€Å"increase risk of liver tumors and liver damage† (Hoffman 184). Internal bleeding may occur from the rupture of a liver tumor (Volkow 5). Two of the most alarming consequences of taking anabolic steroids are the change in behavior/mood and how it affects a person’s mental status. Anabolic steroid use causes violent, aggressive behavior and irritability; approximately 60% of anabolic steroid users experience this change in behavior (Hoffman 187). Tony Mandarich, once proclaimed to be the â€Å"greatest offensive lineman prospect ever,â€Å" said that his steroid use caused his aggression to skyrocket on and off the field. â€Å"The Incredible Bulk† punched an Ohio State player for no reason before the football game even started and told him he â€Å"was going to die today† (Kozak). Anabolic steroid use also affected his thinking. Mandarich’s past steroid use caused him to say things that he would never say were he not on steroids. â€Å"Some of the stuff I said, when I look back now, is just embarrassing,† says Tony Mandarich (Kozak). Although elevated aggressiveness may be beneficial for athletes, that is not the case with your ordinary citizen. With these behavioral changes, an anabolic steroid user is much more likely to fight with other people. This is especially dangerous due to the fact that the steroid user is most likely bigger in size and strength than their opponent. A person may experience a psychotic episode where the steroid user will be in a blind rage, thus disabling their ability to control their emotions. In this event, an adolescent on anabolic steroids could injure many of his peers at school, possibly even kill them. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), â€Å"a recent study suggests that the mood and behavioral effects seen during anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse may result from secondary hormonal changes† (Volkow 4). This is especially true with Heidi Krieger. In females, masculinity may occur both physically and mentally with long-term use of anabolic steroids (Volkow 4). With Heidi Krieger, now known as Andreas Krieger, her long-term anabolic steroid use caused her to become masculine. Not only was she physically changing, the anabolic steroids caused her to believe that she was a man. In an interview with former European women’s shot put champion, she was asked about her past anabolic steroid use and how it caused her to physically and mentally change genders. She said, â€Å"I felt much more attracted to women and just felt like a man. But I knew I was not lesbian† (Cnn. com). One of the many questions researchers ask is â€Å"why†? Many wonder what are the motivational factors in a person’s choice to use anabolic steroids. One of the main factors to this question would be appearance (Kusserow 6). Throughout magazines are pictures displaying a person with rock-hard abs and bulging biceps. On television, an adolescent may see a commercial of a man who is extremely big and strong. 57% of adolescents participating in a survey pointed to magazines and 7% pointed to entertainment as sources of influence (Kusserow 8). Nowadays, society’s perception of the prototypical male is being big and strong. Due to pop culture, male adolescents have this newfound belief that they must improve their appearance to match the appearance of the prototypical male (Kusserow 6). Also, in today’s society peer approval is a must amongst most high school adolescents. Teenagers see their friends getting â€Å"jacked† by using anabolic steroids so they try and imitate those actions since it looks easy. With the correct training regimen, adolescents may accomplish their goals in getting big with great success. According to Richard P. Kusserow, 89% of anabolic steroid users reported that they were satisfied with the results they were hoping for when they first started using anabolic steroids (Kusserow 7). Due to the successful use of anabolic steroids, 97% of users â€Å"agree that the physical effects encouraged them to continue using steroids (Kusserow 7). For example, Tony Mandarich was influenced by his brother to use anabolic steroids so that he could increase size, strength, and athletic performance. His anabolic steroid use allowed him to be able to bench press 225 pounds an incredible 39 times while being able to maintain a 4. 69 40-yard dash. That is a godly feat for a man that is 6 foot 6 and 315 pounds. When asked about his past anabolic steroid use, Mandarich said,†You’re not supposed to be as strong as I am. You’re not supposed to be as fast as I am. You’re not supposed to be as good as I am† (Kozak). Apparently, without anabolic steroid use, Tony Mandarich would never have become the college football player that he was. Another motive adolescents have for using anabolic steroids is the pursuit for the improvement of athletic performance (Adolescent Steroid Abuse). Through the use of anabolic steroids, an adolescent can increase muscle mass, strength, and training capacity (Kusserow 7). According to Kusserow, many adolescents first use anabolic steroids at the age of 16 and that 85% of the users started by age 17 (Kusserow 5). Much of this thought process has to do with famous role model athletes. â€Å"Users believe that many high-level athletes have used steroids, and 42 percent say this influenced them to start using† (Kusserow 8). An adolescent varsity football player trying to obtain a football scholarship from a prestigious NCAA Division I football powerhouse may see an NFL football player that they admire, and look up to, using anabolic steroids. The adolescent could potentially try and imitate the NFL player’s actions due to this belief. With football scholarships from prestigious Division I football colleges being limited and competition amongst football players across the United States being extensive, adolescents will do all that they can to achieve their goal. Additionally, adolescents may view the benefits in using anabolic steroids as more positive than negative. If using anabolic steroids can help these adolescents get to a great school such as the University of Southern California or the University of Texas, the side effects of using anabolic steroids could be something they are willing to risk. Another motive that could cause an adolescent in using anabolic steroids in improving athletic performance is the pressure they receive from adults, including their own parents (Kusserow 8). 55% of adolescent anabolic steroid users claim that their parents know about their use of anabolic steroids and that the parents do not care (Kusserow 7). â€Å"People may give a certain amount of slack to football players because there’s this unspoken sense that in order to play the game well, you need an edge,† says Todd Boyd (Klosterman). If an adolescent can play well enough in sports to generate interest from college scouts, there is a good chance that the adolescent can get an athletic scholarship to help support their parents financially. Nowadays, college tuition is skyrocketing. It costs approximately $22,000 annually to attend the University of New Hampshire for an in-state student, and roughly $12,000 extra if you are out of state. With the recent economic downturn, many families do not have many financial options. Financial aid can only get you so far and the ability to take out a loan has become increasingly hard in this economy. Assuming an 18 year old adolescent is out of state and going to be attending the University of New Hampshire for four years, the adolescent would be saving $136,000 if he were able to get a full-boat scholarship. This is not even taking into account the annual increase in tuition that occurs after every school year and money for miscellaneous things. Although an adolescent’s parents may not be telling them directly to use anabolic steroids, the parents could be indirectly encouraging them to â€Å"juice upâ€Å" by placing tons of pressure on their kids. Adults, whether it is the parents or the coaches, place immense pressure on their kids to compete and win, while conveying mixed messages of what are acceptable ways to achieve that goal (Kusserow 7). Adolescents may interpret those messages as, â€Å"It’s okay to use steroids as long as you succeed and do not get caught† or, â€Å"Do what must be done to achieve your goal†. If this is the universal belief amongst adolescents across the United States, how long will it be before adolescents begin to interpret other topics, such as violence or drug dealing, in the same manner. Works Cited Adolescent Steroid Abuse. † Adolescent Steroid Abuse. Case Western Reserve University. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Hoffman, Jay R. , and Nicholas A. Ratamess. â€Å"Medical Issues Associated with Anabolic Steroid Use: Are They Exaggerated? † Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 01 June 2006. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. Klosterman, Chuck. â€Å"Why We Look the Other Way. † E SPN. com. ESPN Internet Ventures, 21 Mar. 2007. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Kozak, Kory. â€Å"Steroids Fueled Spectacular Rise and Fall. † ESPN. com. ESPN Internet Ventures, 17 Apr. 2009. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . Pleitgen, Frederik. Athlete Says Sports Steroids Changed Him from Woman to man. † CNN. com. Cable News Network, 11 Aug. 2008. Web. 17 Oct. 2009. . United States of America. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Inspector General. Adolescent Steroid Use. Richard P. Kusserow. Department of Health and Human Services, 1991. Print. United States of America. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute of Health. Anabolic Steroid Abuse. Nora D. Volkow. National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2001. National Institute of Drug Abuse Research Report Series. How to cite Exploring Adolescent Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances, Papers

Band Essay Example For Students

Band Essay MILES DAVISThis is my report on Miles Davis that I have written for band class. When I first started I didnt even have a clue who Miles Davis was. But for the past week I have been working on this report I have began to realize the amazing life that this famous musician has lived. So I hope you learn as much as I did on this wonderful trumpeter. Even in the beginning he was already miles ahead. Its very evident that Miles knew and lived by that old axiom if its named, then its outmoded. Miles Dewey Davis was born May 25, 1926 in Alton, Illinois and grew up in East St. Louis. Miles collected records and for his 13th birthday was given his first trumpet. By age 16, Miles was playing professionally and received his first real taste of what playing jazz was like when Billy Eckstines band was traveling through and needed to replace a sick horn player. At that time, the band employed Diz and Bird and for two weeks Miles soaked it up!Undoubtedly, the fire had been ignited. After high school, Miles was off to study music and enrolled in Juilliard in September 1944. Practicing his ass off every day and feeding his mind every night Miles sound was taking shape. As a sideman, Miles recorded his first recording in New York with singer Rubberleggs Williams and later recorded Now,s The Time Ko-Ko in Parkers quintet. Miles Davis was know n to the general public primarily as a trumpet player. However, in the world of music he had a great deal of influence not only as a innovative bandleader but also as a composer. His music and style was important in the development of improvisational techniques incorporating modes rather than standard chord changes. Miles experiments with modal playing reached its apotheosis in 1959 with his recording of Kind Of Blue. Brought up in the Bebop tradition and taught under the auspice of Bird and others, Miles was now ready to lead. After a few solo records, Miles transformed jazz into its next phase with his BIRTH OF THE COOL sessions, which were recorded 1949-50. These sessions took Bebop, with its fast running styled chords, which changed on every beat, to a more modal concept and chords that changed every other measure, like in the tune Dig. As a experiment, Miles formed a nine piece band, with Mulligan, Evans and Lewis as arrangers and incorporating Gunther Schuller on French Horn. This made the band have a lighter and more relaxing sound. Miles himself would frequently use the flugelhorn and muted trumpet. This sound seemed natural to Miles tone. Instantly identifiable, Miles tone had rich middle register and/or cooing, crooning, muted or mewling, fierce as though shredding complacency or tender as a man treading on eggshells. Very contradictory to Miles temperament, this sound was so gentle and simple it rang of a secret side of Miles. Davis most radical veer from jazz tradition came in the late 60s and early 70s when, under the intoxicating influence of such artists as Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, Davis ushered in the age of fusion with a steamy electric concoction of bubbling funk, explosive rock and abrasive jazz. The music ruffled the feathers of jazz purists who were unwilling to accept Davis vision for the ever-evolving genre. However, rock fans were blown away. The trumpeters 1970 fusion masterwork, Bitches Brew, sold over 4000,000 copies in a year, making it the biggest selling jazz album in history. Even though Davis died Sept. 28, 1991, the trumpeting jazz titan continues to impact the contemporary music world. In 1962, Davis was elected by the Readers into the Down Beat Hall of Fame.

Finding Meaning in My Life Essay Example For Students

Finding Meaning in My Life Essay As humans, we all search for meaning in our lives. We could be looking for some kind of interaction, a sense of stability, or even a family connection. Most people are looking for a place where they feel wanted or needed. Others may be looking for the answers to questions about their past, their families, and maybe where they came from. While others may be looking for just a place they feel as though they belong. What is a community? A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristics in common. Communities exist to offer support and a means of connection with others in our lives. We tend to look for communities and or groups where the rules are laid out in front of us. There are all kinds of communities out there, and some of them are not always positive communities. These provide vast opportunities for social interactions, building relationships etc. Often our first introduction into a community is through our own family. For most celebrating our familial background is important, while others like myself do not even know what their backgrounds are. Each and every one of us belong to some kind of community. In this essay I will be discussing what I learned from my family in regards to community, and also the community I joined since being at the community college. When we are born, we are born with a set of values and expectations, so we learn them from our parents or the adults that raise us, primarily. We learn not only through these adults teaching us, we learn by examples and by watching/ observing. Everything we know about human behavior suggests that the family is the institution in which most children learn about character and morality. Thats why the quality of family life is so important. Going back as far as I can remember as a child in a white community, I had no sense of knowledge about other people around me except that we were all not to be trusted. Growing up I was in what society would consider lower class. My family wasnt poor but however we were far from even being well off. I was born into an already broken abusive home where there was domestic violence, and drug abuse/ addiction. I was taught early on that the cops were not anyone that you were to talk to. I was told not to tell our family business to anyone. I was a loner kid, and I didnt have many friends at all. I was constantly in some kind of trouble at my mothers house. Looking back I think that my mother would keep me grounded so that I wouldnt see that what I lived in wasnt normal? Even when I was sent to my biological fathers house every other weekend I was treated pretty much the same way. Well when I was at my mothers house it was domestic violence, and I was physically, emotionally, and mentally abused. At my biological fathers there was domestic violence, addiction, and abuse in every form including sexual abuse. I truly felt growing up and well into my adult life that being beat by your mother and sexually abused by your father was the norm. I was shown by the reactions that I got when I confessed to my elementary teacher about the abuse that no one truly protected children. I remember always being so frightened and feeling as though I must walk on eggshells. I was taught that at no cost was I to communicate or being around an African American. I was however allowed to go and spend the night at my grandmas house, and I vividly remember questioning if something was wrong at my grandmas, or my house? .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .postImageUrl , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:hover , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:visited , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:active { border:0!important; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:active , .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1 .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ufc0885c05e27aa9af8e9655ac56f8be1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Internet Censorship EssayBeing at my grandmothers was way different than at home. My grandma took me to church with her, she didnt cuss or call me names. She never screamed or yelled at me, we sat at the table for meals, and even prayed before each meal. I remember feeling comfortable there like I didnt have to have all kinds of clothing on, I felt truly safe. But even my grandmother I couldnt count on because she eventually found out what was going on at home and in my life and did nothing to protect me and remove me from the situation. Its devastating to have to say this but I was never taught respect, loyalty, togetherness, a sense of belonging, structure, or anything like that. Enduring all of the things that I did growing up helped to lead me down the wrong path in life, and I have suffered a great deal because of it. After 5 children by 5 different fathers, and fifteen years going in and out of prison, all the drug abuse, as well as the un healthy relationships that I was in Im pleased to say that today I belong to an entirely different community. This community is still foreign to me, its the total opposite of what I was used to. After almost two whole years I still feel that I do not belong. I am married to the most amazing woman one could ever meet. I have a huge loving family that knows all about me and my past and still loves me. I have all five of my children actively apart of my life. I have two gorgeous grandsons. I have been clean and sober for 3 Â ½ years and I am off parole. Today, I go to Woodland Community college, which has a community within the college. I am an active participant in the LGBTQ community at the college, as well as the Human Service Community. The community that I am in these days is one that I would consider being close nit. Everyone is so caring and compassionate. Today I have lots of friends that I can call on no matter what. I continue to go to concealing because I have not dealt with a lot of the traumas I endured as a child. Im actively involved in the community of the First Baptist Church of Davis. Although I know I have a long ways to being alright within myself at least today I know deep down that I do fit in. Do to the dysfunction that I dealt with as a child, and well into my adult years I just need to stay put, and keep putting my best foot forward.