Business law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Business law - Essay Example Another person was warned about the same issue. The three employees were Alison, Darren, and Peter. Alison had been with the organisation from the beginning itself. She is coloured (Algerian/French origin) and also suffers from dyslexia. Alison is a case worker and occasionally (and unofficially) doubles up as an accounts secretary though she does not relish the work. It appears that one of her duties in this area is to be in charge of petty cash. Peter who works in the stores department as an assistant clerk had been with the organisation only for the past six months. Peter is also an assistant clerk even though his position or duties are not mentioned here. Alison was also subject to discriminatory remarks by Peter and Darren when they addressed her â€Å"that she is fat, black and blind and should go back to the refugee camp she came from†. It is assumed that Alison has become a citizen of UK since she has been with the organisation for since its inception and that enough t ime has passed for her to obtain one. With regard to a legal angel there are three issues here. The first is that a dismissal has occurred here for two employees. The statutes of the UK Employment Act and the Employment Rights Act 1986 can be valid in this case. The second is that one of the employees (Alison) may be covered under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) because she suffers from Dyslexia. As per the Act, â€Å"Subject to the provisions of Schedule 1, a person has a disability for the purposes of this Act if he has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities† (Disability, Part I). David’s’ Cave can come under the preview of the Act because, â€Å"The DDA covers different sorts of situations, for example, employment, goods, services and facilities, transport, education and premises† (What is the DDA). Many managers do not appreciate

An Evaluation of Emergency Plan for Hurricanes and Natural Disasters Research Paper - 1

An Evaluation of Emergency Plan for Hurricanes and Natural Disasters - Research Paper Example rs, it has been observed that these changes have been occurring quite more often in today’s world due to atmospheric and climatic imbalances that appear in different natural disasters such as volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and most recently the tsunami that have shattered the lives of many in past few years and most recently in Japan. It has been observed that with every hazard that occur, it becomes highly important for the state to react and take spontaneous measures to tackle the situation immediately for becoming more grave and to lower down the intensity of the situation by implementing a thorough strategy that outlines the quickest most relief efforts on immediate basis to help the victims and the affectees of the disaster. For countering such serious situations, it is very important for the governments around the world to take strong measures and to have an emergency plan or a policy that defines all the phases required for early relief and recovery of th e localities hit by the disaster. It is highly imperative to understand the significance of the disaster management plan and the whole process that is involved in relief operation during the time of disaster and it is also very important to understand that how the success of the plan can be acquired through its implementation. Disaster management is a strategy that is devised in case of any natural calamity happens. It has also been termed as the disaster recovery management that can be strategized and become operational during the time of any disaster or a major catastrophe that can affect the human population on a large scale. Around the world in majority of the countries where natural disasters become a part of their lives, governments strategize such disaster or emergency plans for quick relief measures in order to restore the normal operations or the routine life in the areas hit by disasters. The disaster management policy or plan depends on certain essential elements. But one of the

Marketing Audit For Coca Cola Enterprises

Marketing Audit For Coca Cola Enterprises This report provides a complete comprehensive analysis of The Coca-Cola Company which includes an overview of the industry the company operates in, a PEST Framework analysis of the industry then moves on to analyzing the company itself. Company analysis includes a history of The Coca-Cola Company, a SWOT analysis of the segments The Coca-Cola Company operates through, a look at the customer, competitor stakeholder analysis of the company, to derive a strategic assessment of the same to finalize a conclusion a set of recommendations which can be implemented by Coke for a better market share. The Coca Cola is licensed to produce, sell distribute a range of beverages. The company owns the trade marks for most of these, supplies the concentrates is largely responsible for consumer marketing. The most popular product of the Coca-Cola Company is the Coca-Cola invented by pharmacist John Pemberton in 1886. Asa Candler brought the brand formula in 1889 that incorporated the Coca-Cola Company in 1892. Besides its namesake Coca-Cola beverage, Coca-Cola currently offers more than 500 brands in over 200 countries serves 1.6billion servings each day. Corporate social responsibility Council (CSR) makes Coke a more competitive company, responsibly manage the social, economic environmental impacts, manage risks, capture opportunities, innovate, reduce costs improve reputation with all groups of stakeholders. The results of Cokes latest marketing shift is still under evaluation but arguably the strongest most pervasive marketing distribution system in the world with Coke being the first soda drunk in outer space, even the sky may not be the limit. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NO Executive Summary 1 Introduction 4 1.1 Looking at the Industry 4 1.2 Brief Profile of the Industry 4 1.3 Products Brands 4 2 Current Environment and Operations 5 2.1 PEST Analysis 5 2.1a Political aspects 5 2.1b Economic aspects 6 2.1c Social aspects 7 2.1d Technological aspects 7 2.2 SWOT Analysis 8 2.2a Strengths to bulid upon 8 2.2b Weaknesses to overcome 9 2.2c Opportunities to exploit 10 2.2d Threats to overcome 11 2.3 Customer Analysis 11 2.4 Competitor Analysis 12 2.5 Stakeholder Analysis 12 3. Strategy Assessment 13 4. Recommendations and Conclusions 13 LIST OF REFERENCES 15 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Looking at the Industry: The Coca-Cola Company is a beverage retailer, manufacturer marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates syrups. Founded in Atlanta in 1886, Coca-Cola grew steadily from a local business to a multinational institution. In the last century, Coke became the ubiquitous symbol of American business in virtually every country around the world. (www.coca-cola.com/index.jsp, 2010) 1.2 Brief Profile of the Industry: Coca-Cola, started in 1883, has successfully kept its brand relevant for over 100 years. Revenues in 2003 topped $21billion. The Coca-Cola Company only produces syrup concentrate which is then sold to various bottlers throughout the world who hold an exclusive territory. The company operates a franchised distribution system dating from 1889. The Coca-Cola Company owns its anchor bottler in North America, Coca-Cola Refreshments. The current chairman of Coca-Cola is Muhtar Kent. The Coca-Cola headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia. Its stock is listed on the NYSE is part of DJIA, SP 500 Index, the Russell 1000 Index the Russell 1000 Growth Stock Index. By the end of 2006, juices, waters other health functional beverages represented almost 1/3rd of their sales to meet changing consumer needs. Coca Cola aims to be a preferred supplier to its customers, to deliver superior financial results to its stake holders to provide its employees with a safe, healthy inclusive workplace. (Coca-Cola HBC, 2006) 1.3 Products and Brands: The Coca-Cola has 400 brands in about 200 countries besides its namesake Coca-Cola beverage. The first diet soft drink attempted by Coca-Cola was Tab, whose sales have dwindled since the introduction of Diet Coke. It also produces Fanta Sprite this drink was produced by Max Keith during World War II. The German Fanta Klare Zitrone (Clear Lemon Fanta) variety became Sprite, another of the companys bestsellers its response to 7Up soft drink. Valpre Bottled water was also released in South Africa. Due to the growing demand of healthy beverages from the consumers Coca-Cola introduced some more brands like Minute Maid Juices, Powerade sports beverage, flavoured tea Nestea which was a joint venture with Nestle, Fruitopia fruit drink Dasani waters. () The rest of the report is organized in the following way: Section 2: Current Environment Operations. Section 3: Strategy Assessment. Section 4: Recommendations Conclusion. 2. CURRENT ENVIRONMENT OPERATIONS: For a clear analysis of Coca colas environment the report focuses on PEST, SWOT, Customer, Competitor Stakeholder analysis of the company, thus to develop a set of marketing objectives of the company. 2.1 PEST analysis of Coca Cola: 2.1a Political aspects: Coke comes under FDA, food category, as being a non-alcoholic beverage. The government plays a role within the operation of manufacturing these products in terms of regulations. There are potential fines set by the government on companies if they do not meet a standard of laws. The following are some of the factors that could cause companys actual results to differ materially from the expected results described in their underlying companys forward statement:- Changes in laws regulations, including changes in accounting standards, taxation requirements, (including tax rate changes, new revised tax law interpretations) environmental laws in domestic or foreign jurisdictions. Political conditions, especially in international markets, including civil unrest, government changes restrictions on the ability to transfer capital across borders. Their ability to penetrate developing emerging markets, which also depends on economic political conditions, how well they are able to acquire or form strategic business alliances with local bottlers make necessary infrastructure enhancements to production facilities, distribution networks, sales equipment and technology. (, 2010) 2.1b. Economic aspects: The U.S. economy was strong nearly every part of it was growing doing well, however things changed. Most economists loosely define a recession as 2 consecutive quarters of contraction, or negative GDP growth. The non-alcoholic beverage industry has high sales in countries outside the U.S. According to the Standard and Poors Industry surveys, For major soft drink companies, there has been economic improvement in many major international markets, such as Japan, Brazil, Germany. These markets will continue to play a major role in the success stable growth for a majority of the non-alcoholic beverage industry. 2.1c. Social aspects: Many U.S. citizens are practicing healthier lifestyles. This has affected the non-alcoholic beverage industry in that many are switching to bottled water diet colas instead of beer other alcoholic beverages. Also, time management has increased is at approximately 43% of households. The need for bottled water more convenient healthy products are important in the average day-to-day life. http://www.cdf-mn.org Consumers from the ages of 37-55 are also increasingly concerned with nutrition. There is a large population of the age range known as the baby boomers. Since many are reaching an older age in life they are becoming more concerned with increasing their longevity. This will continue to affect the non-alcoholic beverage industry by increasing the demand overall in the healthier beverages. 2.1d Technical aspects: The effectiveness of companys advertising, marketing promotional programs is crucial task. The new technology of internet television is the use special effects for advertising through media. They make some products look attractive. This helps in selling of the products. This advertising makes the product attractive. This technology is being used in media to sell their products. Introduction of cans and plastic bottles have increased sales for Coca-Cola as these are easier to carry can bin them once they are used. CCE has instituted an internal carbon tax on air travel and encouraged the use of video conferencing internet document sharing. As the technology is getting advanced there has been introduction of new machineries. Due to introduction of these machineries the production of the CCE has increased tremendously than it was few years ago. (, 2007) CCE has 6 factories in Britain which use the most stat-of-the-art drinks technology to ensure top product quality speedy delivery. Europes largest soft drinks factory was opened by CCE in Wakefield, Yorkshire in 1990. The Wakefield factory has the technology to produce cans of Coca-Cola faster than bullets from a machine gun. 2.2 SWOT of Coca Cola: 2.2a Strengths to build upon: An extremely recognizable branding is one of the greatest strength of Coca-Cola. Out of the 5 leading soft-drink brands being sold worldwide, the company produces sells 4 of them, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta Diet Coke. Consumer loyalty to the company its products remains high, which is evident from the high market acceptance of  Coca-Colas introduced products newly.  Coca-Cola Zero, which was introduced in the North American market in 2005, garnered a 1% market share in supermarkets in the year of its launch. Enjoyed more than 685m times a day around the world Coca-Cola stands as a simple, yet powerful symbol of quality and enjoyment was stated by Allen in 1995. The company has been entering other non-alcoholic beverages segments to widen its presence in the beverages market like sports drinks juices which has been successful. Minute-Maid is presently available across 80 nations, its share in several juice markets in the world improved with 11% increase in sales volume of Minute-Maid products in 2005. The annual per-capita consumption of the companys products is increasing worldwide stood at about 32 servings (1 serving = 8 US fluid ounces of finished beverage) in 1985, increasing to 55 servings in 1995. In 2005, the average consumption per-capita was 77 servings. In North America, companys products stood at about 413 servings in 2005. (, 2010) 2.2b Weakness to overcome: In January 2004,  CCE has introduced the Dasani brand of bottled water in the UK. By March 2004,  Coca-Cola  recalled the product owing to the discovery of excess levels of bromate in the product, which could cause side effects including cancer in human beings. This resulted in recall expenses of $32m for the company. Coca-Colas sales have been hampered to a certain extent by rumours myths about the company its products. The companys sales in the Middle East were affected by rumours alleging that  Coca-Cola  is a Jewish company its trademark carries anti-Muslim messages. The companys sales in South Asia, particularly in India, were affected in recent years due to allegations of  Coca-Colas drinks containing pesticides. These rumours myths have impaired the companys image to some extent. (, 2010) The companys bottling activities are predominantly carried out by 3rd parties or bottling partners. The companys 2nd largest contributor to revenues (close to 19% in the 1st quarter of 2006) was its Bottling Investments segment.   Coca-Cola does not have any control over its bottling partners financial positions, which could be affected by market trends, competition their accessibility to capital resources. Though Coke has the right to unilaterally change prices of its syrups concentrates, the changes could be enforced only if its bottling partners have the ability to pass on the price increases to their consumers. In light of the bottlers high contribution to  Coca-Colas revenues, the company is more vulnerable to the threat of revenue impairment than its peers with more direct distribution activities. (, ND) 2.2c Opportunities to exploit: Coca-Colas products are being consumed, only 1.3b times a day. Furthermore, though Cokes products reach over 200 nations owing to its comprehensive distribution network, there are countries where the average per-capita consumption remains below 50 servings per day. Countries that fall in this category include the worlds 2 most populated nations, India and China. These markets provide tremendous growth opportunities for  Coca-Cola. The company has identified strategic areas for its expansion, which would complement its core business of manufacturing carbonated soft-drinks. In this regard, the company integrated its strategy, innovation and marketing efforts pumped in additional financial resources of $400m in 2005. It  is also expected to enter the freshly brewed coffee and tea businesses, on a trial basis, under the banner, Far Coast. (AsiaPulse News, 13 February 2004) The company modified its revenue growth strategy by adopting the best practices that were followed in its systems in Brazil Argentina. The company is also working with the bottling partners for better implementation of its revenue growth strategy, to increase profitability from case volume sales improving efficiency in worldwide operations. The company also foresees greater potential for growth in the immediate-consumption channel drafted an immediate-consumption strategy for its worldwide operations. The company worked with its suppliers bottling partners to develop advanced equipment, which would offer a new beverage experience to the immediate-consumption channel. Coca-Cola  is also benchmarking best practices in its top immediate-consumption markets to be implemented in other worldwide markets. 2.2d Threats to avoid: The increasing awareness about obesity among consumers, particularly youngsters, triggered by the consumption of non-diet carbonated soft drinks, is expected to dampen demand for the companys beverages from the youth segment in the future. In the recent past, consumer forums in the US threatened to file lawsuits against  Coca-Cola   other carbonated soft-drink producers, for pursuing deceptive practices associated with contracts for selling carbonated soft drinks in schools. The main ingredient in most of  Coca-Colas products is water, a scarce resource in many countries due to a host of factors including pollution of water bodies, inefficient water management and overexploitation of water resources. (Klebukov P, 22 December 2003) The soft drink industry is very strong, but consumers are not necessarily married to it. Tea, coffee, juices, milk hot chocolate are possible substitutes that continuously put pressure on Coke. It  faces tough competition not only from global players such as  PepsiCo, but also from local players. Competitors for  Coca-Cola include Cadbury Schweppes, Nestlà ©, Kraft Foods  Ã‚  Groupe-Danone. The companys efforts towards consolidating its market position could be restrained by the increased competition from these players. 2.3 Customer analysis: In a survey conducted recently by Coca Cola, a sequence of consumers purchasing preference is recorded which is Taste, Brand name, Packaging, Price, Easy availability and advertisement. The intensity of colour the flavour are the key drivers behind consumer acceptance of beverages then the packaging labelling, says a new study involving DANONE. 10 to 20 year age groups are consuming more Coca Cola than any other age segmentation. The customers loyalty for Coca-Cola has always been consistent though cokes price is slightly higher to that of Pepsi other brands. In response to the growing consumer preference for low calorie products, Coke launched Coke Zero, Diet Coke other health drinks whose sales are on top throughout the world. (Khermouch G Brandy D, August 4, 2003) 2.4 Competitor analysis: Coca-Colas direct competitor is PepsiCo whose strength is low carbonated energy drinks, weakness is snack foods. PepsiCo uses celebrities to attract customers. 60% of its profits come from snack foods 40% from drinks, PepsiCo has growing profits by 15% per annum. With Coca-Colas strength being in fizzy drinks, competitors would try to capitalize on its weaker products. Coca-Cola has recently acquired Subway soft drink business, which was previously served by Pepsi. Coke is the most popular beverage in the world, while Pepsi enjoys it only at home. By comparison, rival Pepsi-Colas brand value is a mere $11.78b. (Marketing, December 18 2003) 2.5 Stakeholder analysis: Most businesses have to consider the impact of their activities on stakeholders Coca-Cola is no exception. Coca-Cola identified its stakeholders as its employees, civil organizations, governments, regulatory authorities, non-governmental organizations, suppliers, consumers, investors, shareowners analysts. Understanding stakeholder concerns perceptions is essential to operating a successful business like Coke these positive long-term relationships built on the basis of trust common goals help them create a sustainable business growth. In 2006, engagement with stakeholders focused on key strategic issues like addressing obesity, water resource, packaging waste management, tackling climate change. In response to the employee engagement survey the company implemented action plans developed engagement internal communications. The company also worked with government agencies, NGOs industry peers to increase recycling protect water bodies. Coke has set up CRIS-consumer response i nformation centres in every country to address consumer enquiries. Regular communications with shareholders include road-shows, web-casts briefings. (, ND) 3. STRATEGY ASSESSMENT: Coca-Cola now gets 2/3rds of its revenues from outside the United States. Its easier to name the countries where coke is not available. Everywhere else including such tricky markets as Pakistan, Cambodia, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Liberia Colombia Coke is a beloved consumer staple. The brand is so strong entrenched that even the anti-American sentiments of 9/11 after have not hurt the sales. Coca-Colas brand valuation increased from $68.95b in August 2001 to $70.45b in 2003. Coca-Cola remains the top global brand, achieving the top ranking in BusinessWeeks Global Brand Scorecard once again in 2003. A small set of recommendations would help achieve Coke attain greater heights as discussed below. (Wamer F, April 2003) 4. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: With the help of PEST, SWOT other analysis, the internal external environment of CCE has been analysed. Coca-Cola operations extend across 28 countries establishing, developing emerging markets according to business infrastructure, economic development growth prospectus. Through innovation acquisition, Coca-Cola owns operates 81 bottling plants, 64 soft drink plants, 3 juice plants 14 mineral water plants. The strength of Coca-Colas system allows infinite growth in the global market. They have the resources available for this opportunity but they must develop marketing strategies that have local appeal as this is essential for their success. Through their brand reputation vast marketing experience, Coca-Cola has the ability to extend the recognition of their brand logo. However it would be best to leverage brand equity their financial resources, to accelerate global market penetration with a view to long term profits. Coke must continue to evolve its market share. The effectiveness of TV ads is declining due to media fragmentation use of devices like TIVO that let viewers zap commercials. So it is advisable for Coke should divert money previously spent on TV towards more experimental activities like setting up of lounges in teen malls offer exclusive music videos, video games sell coke drinks from Coke machines. (Faust D, p.77, March 1, 2004) With the threat of political economical instability, Coke must consider each countrys unique cultural, political, legal economic environment to extend its market share. With the threat of increasing health consciousness among consumers, it is advisable for Coke to further resource their fruit drink product lines as this market sector is growing rapidly. In laying out an appropriate marketing mix, Coke must consider product, distribution, promotion price, therefore developing a marketing mix for each customer group. In a fairly saturated slow moving beverage industry if Coca-Cola can diversify expand on these products globally they would gain a huge market share a great competitive advantage that would allow for greater long-term profits increase dominations into the next century. LIST OF REFERENCES www.coca-cola.com. Coca-Cola HBC 2006, Social Responsibility report 2006, www.coca-cocahbc.com, Greece. Viewed 5 December 2010, Viewed 5 December 2010, Viewed 5 December 2010, Viewed 6 December 2010, Viewed 6 December 2010, Dean Faust, Coke:Wooing the TiVo Generation, BusinessWeek, March 1, 2004, p.77. Paul Klebukov, Cokes Sinful World, Forbes, December 22, 2003, p.86. Coca-Cola Japan to Debut Beer-flavoured Soda Next Month, AsiaPulse News, February 13, 2004. How Coke Moulded our view of Santa Claus to Fuel Winter Sales, Marketing, December 18, 2003. Gerry Khermouch and Diane Brandy, The Top 100 Brands, BusinessWeek, August 4, 2003. Fara Wamer, Chris Lowe Time To Get Real, Fast Company, April 2003.

Effective Teaching of Abstract Algebra :: Mathematics Education Papers

Effective Teaching of Abstract Algebra Abstract Algebra is one of the important bodies of knowledge that the mathematically educated person should know at least at the introductory level. Indeed, a degree in mathematics always contains a course covering these concepts. Unfortunately, abstract algebra is also seen as an extremely difficult body of knowledge to learn since it is so abstract. Leron and Dubinsky, in their paper  ¡Ã‚ §An Abstract Algebra Story ¡Ã‚ ¨, penned the following two statements, summarizing comments that are often heard from both teacher and student alike. 1."The teaching of abstract algebra is a disaster, and this remains true almost independently of the quality of the lectures." (Leron and Dubinsky agree with this statement.) 2."There's little the conscientious math professor can do about it. The stuff is simply too hard for most students. Students are not well-prepared and they are unwilling to make the effort to learn this very difficult material." (Leron and Dubinsky disagree with this statement.)(Leron and Dubinsky, p. 227) Thus the question is raised: if there is something the "conscientious math professor can do about" the seemingly disastrous results in the learning of algebra, what is it that we can do? As a teacher of undergraduate mathematics, I want and need to know what these effective methods of teaching abstract algebra are. Leron and Dubinsky's paper referred to above and papers resulting from their research contain the bulk of literature that I reviewed. In this paper, they summarize their experimental, constructivist approach to teaching abstract algebra. Among the classroom activities are computer activities, work in teams, individual work, class discussion, and sometimes a mini-lecture summarizing the results of student work (which by this time is familiar to them), providing definitions, theorems, and proofs in their abstract forms. The computer activities use the ISETL programming language. As an example of its use, students write a program implementing the group axioms. They then can enter what they consider to be a group, and the computer will give as output a true or false response. They can use the same process to determine whether their proposed group is closed, has an identity, etc. They choose their answer and then let the computer respond. In this way, students  ¡Ã‚ §construct ¡Ã‚ ¨ the group process, with the view that they will also have a  ¡Ã‚ §parallel construction ¡Ã‚ ¨ occurring in their minds. Students have an experience on which to base their learning of group theory. The method proposed here by Leron and Dubinsky certainly seems patterned after Dubinsky's theoretical foundation for student learning laid out in his work  ¡Ã‚ §Reflective Abstraction In Advanced Mathematical Thinking.

Rizal Life Reaction

One of the strengths of Jose Rizal is the incorporation of the characters of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in the life of Rizal and of the Filipinos in general. This only shows that the two books are reflections of the lives of the Filipinos during the Spanish regime. But the thought and noble ideas of the book do not only live in the past but also in the present manifesting the universality and immortality of Rizal's ideas. The beautiful transition of Rizal's time and the setting of the two novels is really impressive. One must have really read the books to better appreciate the movie Jose Rizal. While watching the film, I cannot help but relate Rizal to Crisostomo/Simoun, Leonor to Maria Clara. Rizal and Crisostomo both came from a well-off family. Both of them studied in Europe. Both have dedicated their life to free their people from oppression. And then there's a scene where Leonor was walking down the aisle and Maria Clara singing in the nunnery. Both were locked up-the former to a person whom she does not love; the latter to a place, which seems to be a dead end. Maria Clara jumping off from the bell tower is her way to get out, her way towards salvation. The film also works through a series of flashback showing Rizal as a genius, a writer, a doctor, an artist, a lover, a friend, a brother and a son, thus giving a rich texture of Rizal's character. I also commend the film for its bravery in showing the evil tyranny of the Catholic Church during that time. Considering that the Philippines is a Catholic nation, that is like butchering a sacred cow but alas, Abaya works her magic in depicting the suffering of the Filipinos because of the friars. I particularly love the last scene of the film when Rizal, excellently played by Cesar Montano by the way, fell in the ground facing the sky, having his last breath looking at a beautiful sunrise- a metaphor depicting that Rizal did not die in vain. He did not die defeated because his death is the torch that lights Philippine independence, that ignites Philippine Revolution. This is more apparent in the scene where Simoun (a character in El Filibusterismo) appeared to Rizal telling him to rewrite the story. Rizal wrote and an imaginary explosion happened. A burst of light and flame overwhelmed the screen. In a way that has been the legacy of Rizal-bringing light to the Filipinos. He died victorious because in the end his memory and legacy remain forever.

Author’s Thoughts for the Movie Dangerous Minds

My Thoughts on the movie Dangerous Minds which was (very very loosely) adapted from my book My Posse Don’t Do Homework. This was written in June 2007 in response to an email from a grad student: Thank you for contacting me for input instead of just using what you find on the Internet or other resources. Let me be clear: I think Dangerous Minds has its good points – it inspired a lot of kids to stay in school, it inspired many people to pursue their dreams of becoming teachers, and it inspired the brilliant song, â€Å"Gangsta’s Paradise. I just wish that people would realize it’s a movie and not real life when they write about me. I had very little input to the movie and much of it is fiction, at times so far removed from fact as to be ridiculous. My students never called me â€Å"white bread† for example – I had only one rule in my classroom and that was: respect yourself and the others in this room. I didn't disrespect my students and they didn't disrespect me. The producers couldn't believe it could be so simple — that if you treat kids with genuine respect, they may not love you immediately, but they will learn to respect you. I used rap lyrics to initiate lessons about poetry (not a DylanDylan contest). Instead of a silly contest, we learned to write and analyze various forms of poetry, beginning with songs and ending with Shakespearean sonnets. Yep, they actually liked them, too. I never threw candy bars at my students to motivate them — I encouraged them to eat healthy foods. I didn't fight with my administrators all the time — it was my principal who gave me the support and encouragement I needed to become an effective teacher. So, I would simply ask that you view the movie as a movie and not as a reflection of my personality, teaching techniques, teaching philosophy, and definitely not as a reflection of my attitude toward students. I didn't teach for one semester and then try to quit — I taught in the at- risk program for five years, starting as a part-time teacher and ending as a full-time teacher and department chair -and then I went back to grad school. I agree with Bulman's contention that the movie industry seems to think that white middle-class people can walk into a ghetto and ‘save the children. ‘ That's a very very simplified version of his theory. But I would argue that whether the maverick teacher is middle-class, white or black, male or female — the key is in that person's motivation. If you believe you are superior to somebody and you are going to save them, they will resist you, even if they are drowning, if they didn't ask for your help. But if you truly respect and accept other people as they are, and your motivation is to encourage them to develop their talents and skills to pursue whatever goals THEY have set (or encourage them to set goals if they have none), then they will be interested in what you have to say. People focus far too much on race, gender and money when they should focus on heart, soul and intention. It's been my experience that when you have self-destructive or apathetic students, instead of trying to teach them lessons, you will make much more progress if you try to find out what they think of themselves. And when they have negative perceptions, you tell them what you see — a new perspective that they can't see themselves. If this is an honest communication, it will change the way they think of themselves. Instead of thinking of themselves as hopeless, powerless, stupid, lazy, or whatever they have been taught or told to think — they begin to see themselves as human beings, separate from the school system labels, human beings with talents and abilities that will be valued by the world, if they can just survive school. That's enough. I'm writing you a book! Sorry for being so long-winded. Oh, wait, I take that back. One more thing. I don't think the Hollywood film makers are intentionally perpetuating stereotypes and simplistic plot lines. I think in some cases they genuinely believe their stories, in some cases they are trying to create a feel-good story to attract an audience, and in some cases they just don't have a clue because they never attended public schools and their worlds are so insulated that they believe whatever expert they have hired. I was told, for example, when I protested the racial stereotypes in Dangerous Minds (all black kids are raised by crackhead single moms, all Hispanic teens are gangsters because their parents don't care, black parents resent effective white teachers), I was told in a very haughty voice that the â€Å"gangologist† on their staff assured them that their movie was an accurate depiction. I laughed myself silly before I cried.