Set It Off (1996): An analysis

Set It Off (1996): An analysis â€Å"What is the mother fucking procedure when you have a gun to your head† (Set it Ooff- Frankie). Those are the last words Frankie says before she is shot and killed by the LAPD. Set it off Off is a crime movie, that follows the struggle and lives of four different, but similar African-American women in the projects of Los Angeles. All their independent struggles come together to create the climax to the movie. It sets the tone and makes their lives all relate back to each other. The story focuses on four main characters: Cleo (Queen Latifah), Stony (Jade Pinkett- Smith), Tisean (Kimberley Elise), and Frankie (Vivica A. Fox). Cleo, Frankie, Tisean, and Stony are all best friends and have their personal struggles and all agree they want to get up and put of the projects and begin to live the American dream. Set it off is an action, crime drama that takes place in the projects of LA. All of the female characters have lived in the projects their whole life and find that robbing banks would be their only way out. Frankie, having worked at banks for years prior, feels that her knowledge of the bank system meant that they could get in and out of the banks quickly and with a lot of money. At first Stony and T.T. dont agree with the idea, until they have their own struggle that pushes them over the limit. Stonys brother, Stevie, was brutally murdered by the LAPD, and T.T.s son was taking taken by child services for a work related accident. After these tragedies happened to the other two ladies, they agree to help rob the banks. At first they are successful and they get away the first few time, until they rob Downtown Federal where police detectives just gave a brief on the string of robberies respond to the silent alarm. Once they arrive back at the bank they, are in a stand off with three of the women and T.T. ends up getting shot and later dies in Frankies arms. This leads to a police pursuit of the remaining girls and also the death of Frankie and Cleo. Frankie out of the four women had the best life; she recently received a promotion at her job, where she is a bank teller. This all changes when a couple of thugs from the projects come into the bank and rob it. Frankie is slow to give up the money so one of the robbers grabs an older lady and shoots her right in front of her. After the robbery she is interviewed by detectives from the LAPD about her relation with the robbers. After the detectives are through with the interview, her boss fires her on the spot for the fact that she knew the robbers. After she was fired she joked with the girls about how they could rob banks and get away from all their struggles. Cleo having troubles of her own is excited and wanting to go through with the plans. When she is fired from the bank her pursuit of the American Dream is shattered, she sees that robbing banks is quick and easy money. Cleo is a â€Å"crazy† girl from the Acorn projects of Los Angeles; she is up for anything that gets her blood pumping. She is in a dead end job and is ready to do what she has to do to get her and her girlfriend out of the hood. She feels that if she doesnt get out of the hood shell either be dead or in jail, and that to her is not an option. She really hasnt had parents around in her life so she feels that her girls are all she has in this world, and she is really close with Stony and relates to her the most. Cleos American Dream is fixing up her 66 Impala and smoking weed in a middle class neighborhood where bullets dont fly by. Stony has had to grow up fast. Her parents were killed in an automobile accident when she was a young teen. She had to then start providing for her and her little brother Stevie. He was bound for UCLA, but due to finciancal issues he was not sure if he was going to be able to go. So her being the provider and not seeing any other option she has sex with a used car sales men for money. Stevie had recently graduated from high school and was college bound, when he was coming back from a friends house and the SWAT team was doing a raid on bank robbing suspects and mistook him for the suspect. They asked him to freeze and show his hands , while pulling out his hands he pulled out the bottle of champagne he also had in his hands, they SWAT team also mistook that as a gun and vicious shot him to death. When she sees her brother she acts as any one would having lost a loved one and falls to the floor and sobs. After loosing her brother she feels that she should also get out of the ghetto and agrees to help rob banks. Having to help raise her brother with little income she feels what Tisean is going through and they can relate. Stony now has no reason to live anymore her friends is all she has and she know that living in the hood could jeopardize her life and her friends lives too. Tisean is a single mother; she doesnt say much and keeps to herself. She works along side Cleo and Stony at Luthers Janitorial Services, but due to the fact that her boss Luther takes taxes out of her paychecks, she cant afford a babysitter and has to bring her baby to work with her. Her baby gets into some cleaning products and gets rushed to the hospital, where child services takes the baby from her until she can prove to be stable enough to raise the baby. This makes Tisean very depressed and in need of money fast so she also agrees to rob banks to get her son back. Tisean just wants her baby back, her son means the world to her and she feels lost without him. So having him back in her life would be her American Dream. Having all agreed to rob the banks they rely on Frankies insight on banks to get them through it, Cleos connection for weapons, and Stonys leadership and street savvy to get through their destruction. At the first bank robbery T.T gets nervous and backs out at the bank, so it leaves the other three to rob the bank. They all do well for it being their first robbery and they make away with 12,000 dollars, but that only being 3,000 a piece they know it is not enough to leave the hood so they decide to rob a few more banks. After all four women successfully rob a few more banks they need some place to keep the money so they decide on a heater duct at the building they clean. This is a good plan until Luther, their boss, finds the money and steals it so they go on a hunt for him. Knowing that all there American Dreams are at stake they go on a manhunt for their boss. They find him at a motel with a prostitute, and they bust in and demand the money form him at gun point. Cleo turns her back on him and he pulls a gun on Cleo. That leaves Tisean with no choice, but to shot and kill Luther. This puts the girls in a panic and they decide to rob Downtown Federal, a major bank in downtown LA. Knowing that this bank is big and has a lot of money this would be their last chance to achieve the dreams they have set out to achieve.Moment s before the robbery at the bank the same two LAPD detectives from in the beginning gave a brief at the bank about the robbers, so when they go to rob the bank the detectives are not far when the silent alarm goes off. Once they arrive at the bank the detectives and the women are in a stand off when a guard at the bank decides to take matters into his own hands, and he starts to shoot, hitting Tisean in the chest. The other women return fire and pull Tisean out of the bank into the get a way car. They shot out is know in the streets of downtown and their get a way car is taking heavy fire so they have to switch cars. Once they arrive at Cleos car they go to start her car and move the money, but by then its too late. Tisean had lost a lot of blood and passes away in Frankies arms. They leave her there in the car and proceed in Cleos car, still having the police right on their tails. They have no time to think so they decide to split up in a tunnel. Frankie and Stony run with half of the money, while Cleo continues in the car until she hits a roadblock and her car cant take no more. Cleo being the fight she is gets out with a machine gun and opens fire on the LAPD and she is shot to death by them. The other are still running and Frankie gets surrounded by the police , and one of the detectives approaches her unarmed to talk some reason into her and have her surrender. Jail not being an option for her she pulls her gun and ask the detective â€Å"What is the mother fucking procedure when you have a gun to your head† (Set it off- Frankie). She then starts running when an officer shoots her in the back and killing her while Stony is looking this from a tour bus on its way to Mexico. Stony on the other hand gets away and gets into Mexico, having so many memories about all that she lost her feels that she needs change so she cuts her hair and drives to the beach. All four women made the choice to take part in the violation of the law, but all four saw it to be a way out of their personal struggles and live the lavish life they saw advertise everywhere. Although three of the four women died that was all a price the women were willing to take, they knew it was that or the streets.

Spread of Buddhism

Keith Secon AP World Spread of Buddhism DBQ Responses to the Spread of Buddhism Following Buddhism’s introduction into China in the first and second centuries, C. E. , the religion was received in different ways, reflecting the progression of China’s history. Chinese scholars, Confucian Government Officials, and Buddhists viewed Buddhism through their unique perspectives, sometimes agreeing and sometimes disagreeing on the role it played in Chinese life. Chinese scholars generally saw Buddhism as a positive influence because it provided hope for an afterlife. Buddhists naturally embraced the rise of Buddhism and saw it as salvation.Confucian government officials were suspicious of Buddhism and saw it as a negative influence that challenged their already proven authority from Confucianism. Ultimately, the groups response to Buddhism differed depending on how tightly centralized the established Confucian dynasty was at the time, and by how much each group’s positio n in society would be benefitted or harmed. Chinese Scholars viewed Buddhism from an intellectual standpoint which lead them to receive it as ultimately positive because they had no special interest, as did the religious or government leaders.As stated by Zhi Dun, â€Å"whosoever in China [†¦] serves the Buddha and correctly observes the commandments [†¦] he will behold the Buddha and be enlightened in his spirit, and then he will enter Nirvana. †(Doc 2) This shows that Zhi Dun supported Buddhism and saw it as a way to achieve the highest state of spiritual being because reaching Nirvana meant that one could escape the terrible cycle of reincarnation. This document is biased due to the fact that where Zhi Dun was living at this time, in Northern China was being invaded by barbaric nomads which led him to need something to believe in and Buddhism filled that void.A document that would have been helpful in reputing Zhi Dun’s statement would have been a diary en try from a scholar in Southern China where there were no foreign invaders and the government was still strong. In The Disposition of Error, an anonymous scholar in 500 ce questioned both Confucianism and Buddhism when he wrote, â€Å"All written works need not necessarily be the words of Confucius [†¦] even if the Buddha isn’t mentioned in them, What occasion is there for suspicion? (Doc 3) This scholar’s statements reflect the political chaos and turmoil of the time as they demonstrate Confucianism and Buddhism are neither good nor bad but they fill a necessary part in people’s lives. The bias in this document stems from his anonymity because it seems as if he is almost too scared too publicly share his ideas and name. In this case a diary entry or public statement from a Daoist would be very helpful to contrast this scholar’s claim. From the point of view of a Daoist the reader would have been better able to understand the writer’s loyaltie s on the statement.Buddhists positively responded to the Spread of Buddhism because they obviously believed in the values of Buddhism and they wanted to share their beliefs with others. Buddha in â€Å"The Four Noble Truths† lays out the basic guidelines to Buddhism and the way for converts to live their lives (Doc 1). Following the noble truths outlined by Siddhartha Gautama will eventually lead to the stopping of sorrow. The bias in the document lays in the fact that it is a sermon which has the sole purpose to try to convert people to the faith being preached.To argue the Buddha’s guidelines of life, the Four Noble Truths, a scientific based study by an Educator or Scholar would be helpful as it could clear up some of the unknowns in the Buddha’s statement. A scientific study would have been helpful due to fact that the Buddha was mainly preaching to the uneducated lower-class. The leading Buddhist scholar, Zong Mi, in his essay â€Å"On the Nature of Manâ⠂¬  wrote, â€Å"Confucius, Laozi, and the Buddha were perfect sages[†¦] all three teachings lead to the creation of an orderly society and for this they must be observed with respect†(Doc 5).This shows that Zong Mi was impartial if not pro-Buddhist because he showed respect for Buddhism, as well as the other philosophies, because he believed they all could provide stability and happiness for the people. This document is biased because the scholar is Buddhist and probably wealthy which led him to promote Buddhism because if more people converted to it, it would have only benefited him more. In this case a diary entry from a Confucian Scholar would be helpful in debasing Buddhism because Confucianism was specifically against Buddhism.Confucian government officials were vehemently opposed to Buddhism because they believed it openly challenged their power and authority. Han Yu, a leading Confucian scholar and official at the Tang imperial, in â€Å"Memorial on Buddhismâ⠂¬  states, â€Å"Buddhism is no more than a cult of the barbarian peoples spread to China†(Doc 4) Han Yu was clearly against Buddhism, thinking that it had a negative effect because the people who worshiped it were barbarians and not like the educated scholars of his social class.Han Yu also opposed Buddhism because he was rooted in his own Confucian beliefs and the power it bestowed upon his government. This document is dripping with bias because a Confucian scholar wrote it during a highly centralized time of political stability. The political stability led to the peasants and the masses not needing a higher belief so they digressed back to the standard Confucian bureaucracy. A diary entry from a Buddhist monk or convert would be helpful as it would defend the ways of Buddhism and living one’s life to the fullest instead of letting the state control you.Emperor Wu, of the Tang Dynasty, in his â€Å"Edict of Buddhism† states, â€Å"now if even one man fails to work the fields, someone must go hungry [†¦] At present there are an inestimable number of monks and nuns in the empire, all of them waiting for the farmers to feed them†(Doc 6). The previous statement shows that Emperor Wu was very opposed to Buddhism because it took away the maximum productivity that his empire was capable of due to the fact the Buddhists lead ascetic lives and depended on others for goods and food.This document is biased because Emperor Wu didn’t have a first hand experience of what the masses had to deal with because he was a wealthy aristocrat and didn’t understand the need for a religion like Buddhism. A recorded conversation between two farmers would be helpful for determining if it puts that much economic stain on the farmers to produce more for others, since more production leads to more wealth.The conflict between Buddhism and Confucianism was due to the changing political state of China throughout it history of dynasties. When a dynasty wasn’t strong or when China was in a period of decentralization, it allowed new philosophies and religions to become prominent but when China was stable and centralized the people regressed to the normalcy of Confucianism. In dark times, when political turmoil flourishes, new religions arise to the forefront of society by offering hope and structure and common values.This is true at many points in history throughout various civilizations, such as during medieval times in Europe, the new religion of Christianity took hold in peasants’ lives during the time of political unsteadiness. As times change, new religions are created and others are pushed to the back burner. People must remember through these changing times not to become too invested in one religion as it will only lead to disappointment, and in some extreme cases, persecution.

Face of War

The Face of War There are many different forms of artwork that can depict moments in my life. Many musical compositions, sculptures, and architecture, that express the trials and tribulations that I have endured in my lifetime. There is one piece of artwork that I find to be a complete expression of my entire life. Although â€Å"The Face of War† by Salvador Dali was influenced by tragedy in times of war; I have a different view on the painting. The painting itself shows a head that was severed from the body, lying in the sand. The head which looks withered has an expression on it of pain and misery. Its eyes and mouth are filled with identical faces all of which are surrounded by serpents tugging and biting at the rotting heads. to me the painting symbolizes many facets of human experience. It symbolizes pain, death, loss, frustration and despair. All of which I have experienced in dealing with low self-esteem, acceptance issues, and lack of motivation to accomplish anything. I am 30 years old and am just deciding what I want to do for the rest of my life. I have experienced pain in more ways than most people will be able imagine. From the constant loss of loved ones, to the emotional pain and physical pain inflicted on myself as well as the physical pain and emotional pain that has been inflicted by loved ones. Moments of despair and frustration have brought me to seek comfort in pain and suffering. I see the painting and it screams out to me speaking a constant struggle with one's feelings, a war inside that no one can see, and the infinite battle within myself that will either make me or break me. This piece of art has a great cultural value as it represents a period of time in which war was a big issue and everyone was feeling the consequences that war brings. It symbolized the pain of the people that were directly and indirectly involved with these tragedies.

Investment in Australia - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1638 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/10/10 Did you like this example? Executive Summary Mayu LLC is a service and product company dealing in fashion and design.   The company was founded by Star Mc Cain.   The company makes use of ecofriendly, modern and upcycled materials to create attractive and ancient water art. The company takes part in appreciation events, image enhancing programs for outreach centers and hospitals, bridal showers, guiding programs as well as gals and ceremonies.   The company’s objective in the event is designing and make it colorful. Currently. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Investment in Australia" essay for you Create order This organization is located in the U.S.A ands has gained much success. Its popularity and success in the American art and hospitality industry has led eyeing a possible market in Australia. Introduction Mayu art is a small business that has gained much popularity in the American art and design market. Mayu art company specializes in art and design by making use marble silk products in producing its products. The company produces various products from headbands, scarves, neckties, and bowties, painted origami flowers, marbled cotton, and placemats. The organization aims at setting up a branch in Australia due to various reasons.   To start with, the Australian fashion industry has been performing poorly and the manger believes that introducing a new form of design in the fashion and design industry would bring a major success to the company as well as the fashion and design industry (Bjorklund, 2014).   The organization also aims at setting up their firm in Australia since the country provides a good environment for growth of foreign organizations. Additionally, the Australian government offers significant support to small business hence the firm stands an opportunity to grow. Ho wever, a major barrier to the company is the already existing fashion and design companies in the region.   However, the company will use marble products to its own advantage. The firm also reviewed studies and research on how small companies faired I Australia.   The reports showed that 1000 in every 3000 small businesses succeed in the Australian economy.   This report showed that the firm stood a chance of succeeding in the Australian economy. Analysis of International Business Opportunity Economic environment Australia has had 25 consecutive years of impressive output growth. The gross domestic product per capital is high. In spite of the world product super cycle, the Australian economy still does well.   The equilibrium of the of economic activity from product investment to different activities is advances, and facilitated by fiscal and monetary policies, product markets, flexible labor and currency depreciation. However, the country’s economy shares a universal risk of the â€Å"low growth trap†. Alongside most OECD nations, increase in productivity growth slowed since the 1990’s.   In recent decades, Australians economy have heavily relied on trade (Bjorklund, 2014).  Ã‚   Trades role in Australian economy can be observed through the GDP percentage, which has significantly grown in the last two decades to 48%. In 2008, economic development and growth was achieved through the significant rise in the two way trade in services and goods. The central bank is the regulatory agency obligated for maintaining stability and integrity of Australian Financial System.   In Australians private sector, there are four domestic banks operating nationally and provides various services to their customers.   The increase in size and complication of the Australian financial system has had a rapid increase in the last two decades via factors like technology advancement and financial deregulation. The major characteristics of financial deregulation from international investment are elimination of numerous controls in foreign exchange.  Ã‚   Guarantees, loans and other financing tools are often used development of infrastructure. However, the country also provides the funds magnitude required for large scale infrastructural investments and could facilitate partnership of governments to infrastructural. The economic department has offered a single loan and is considering the utilization of financial instruments and further loans th at reflect the help policy focus on innovating and collaborating with the private sector. Social environment Australia is made up of a cacophony of already established traditions and influences from other cultures. The nation’s original inhabitants’ are the Toress strait people and Aboriginal. People from this culture have lived in Australia for about 40, 000 years. The rest of the Australian population is made up of immigrants  Ã‚   who arrived in Australia from roughly 200 centuries ago. Australian population is 23 million mainly made up of the aboriginal and Toress strait.   Most immigrants who came to Australia in 1945, were encouraged by family commitment and escaping prosecution, war and poverty (Brammall, 2013). Migrants have had a significant social impact.   This has enriched various factors of the Australian life from art to business, comedy. Science, sporting and cooking. This has led to an enriched life in Australia influenced by different culture and tradition. In Australia, there are various shred values.   They include: respect for individuals, their fre edom, dignity and worth.   Freedom of association and speech, freedom of secular government and religion. People are expected to show support for the parliamentary democracy and law.   Australians are also expected to have an egalitarianism spirit through embracing mutual respect, patience and tolerance, religious beliefs and gender. All Australians are motivated to learn their national language to unify the Australian society element. However, there other languages like Greek, Vietnamese, Arabic, Australians, Mandarin and 200 languages. The major clothing worn in Australia nation shows diversity and climatic variations. There are various laws that impact most investing contracts.   The Australian state and government a ns well as territorial legislation is established to protect the environment, the community, and the consumers as well as promote competition and fair trade.   The laws control the manner in which business associates with customers, suppliers and other businesses. These laws include Competition Laws He Australian economy is made up of a statutory framework that ensures that trade is fair for consumers and businesses.   The administration and enforcement of this framework is the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Product Liability regulation The Australian state also has a framework that regulates products information standards and safety. Territory and state governments are involved in enforcing product safety laws. Environmental Legislation The Australian government also puts in place various policies that protect the environment. The Australian government legislation, controls the assessment and approval process of cultural concerns and environmental concerns. Privacy Laws Australia entails a state privacy legislation that is controlled by OAIC that controls the manner in which business collects, accesses and stores personal communication and information. There are particular requirements on management of information considered to be sensitive. Operation of the Proposed Business Organization The company is owned by McCain and his sons Edam Mc Cain and Oliver Goodwood.   The firm does not support a hierarchy leadership system but instead work as a team. Being a fashion and design firm, the use of teams and collaboration place a significant role in enhancing creativity and improving the design and the quality of services given by the firm. While investing in Australia, there are various start up processes that require to be followed to make the investment successful as well as provide information on the fashion and design market in Australia.   To start with, is seeking advice regarding the investment (Delimatsis, 2016).   This will involve consulting a Chartered accountants to aid in financial advice, starting up and business planning. This could also include seeking mentorship for employees as well as business guides on how to get additional finance. The other ste4p involves development of a business plan.   The business plan is a process that shows how to execut e the business idea and is made up of how to execute the idea, market research, the method of delivery and calculating the resources needed. The company is structured to be a limited company. The third step entails finding investors to fund a project. Despite the factor that the company has been faring well in America and has accrued major profits.   There is still need for additional investors who will aid in the establishment of a better firm that will enable mass production and quality production. Product The products produced by the design company include, painted origami flowers, marbled cotton, and placemats and services like designing events.   With various cultural operations in the country, such products can be marketed during events or through creation of events related to the products. Additionally, this products could be supplied in art and fashion ships as well as in house hold shops dealing in flowers, cotton, and placemats. Transformation The well connected and developed Australian infrastructure enhances easy transport through road.   Most products will be delivered through roads since it is cheaper, effective and timely.   However, the major risk associated with this cost is lateness and destruction of materials. Market Entry The company will make use of indirect exporting which refers to exporting materials and later making up the end product.   The exported material will include, garments, color as well as labor.   The company will make a five years contract with Australian government to get authorization of trading in the country Marketing strategy Plan A major marketing strategy that will be used will be the pricing strategy.   The organization will have a fair price on its services and products to lure consumers.   Additionally, the company will also make use of advertisements to show people on the how to use new forms of art. . In order to have profit from their sales (Shankar Carpenter, 2012). The company shall consult the governments to ensure that it is not highly taxed. The required resources are moved in bulk to minimize the cost of transportation hence enabling a fair price. Therefore, MAYU Company stands a great chance of succeeding in the Australian economy.   The friendly social, economic and political environment also highly contributes to fathoms that could enhance growth of the country. The fashion industry in Australia still has a gap that Mayu could cover and achieve succe3ss hence increasing and expanding their firm.   It is also evident that the Australian government imposes less tariff and taxes that enable foreign countries perform well.