The Artificial Nigger Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Artificial Nigger - Essay Example Their trip was filled with conversations, with each grandfather and grandson asserting his wisdom. One point in particular that the child said is, the trip is his second, the first being when he was still a baby. Moreover, he insisted that he would know what a nigger looked like once he saw one because he was born in a city where they abound. The old man said he could not have known any of what he was talking about because he did not have the intelligence then and the boy got his first test on the train when Mr. Head asked what kind of man was the one who passed them by. When he did not get the answer he was expecting, he pointed out to the boy what he previously said, that he would be able to know a nigger when he sees one but then he proved not to be able to do so. When they got off the train, the old man who looked at himself as a sage who is supposed to fill the mind of the young boy with learning soon discovered he also had a lot to learn. Nelson in turn learned the lessons his grandfather authored for him and more and therefore decided not to go back to the city. The aforementioned circumstances came about due to an instance wherein the boy was placed in a dilemma when he hurt a woman who was carrying some groceries when he went frantic looking for his grandfather who left him at a distance, trying â€Å"to teach him a lesson†. When Mr. Head was threatened by the women who were trying to seek justice from the accident his grandson caused, he denied that he knew the boy. Nelson, who looked up to him as a savior at such a dire situation was angry that his own grandfather would disown him. When the two continued to find their way to train station, the old man learned how it felt to need mercy and forgiveness because this was still the first time he had ever failed his grandson. Nelson in turn learned how he needed his grandfather. The story is meant to show how an educator needs to be educated as well. The grandfather does not just represent old age b ut also wisdom which should be gained through years of experience. Mr. Head knows that his grandson should learn many things about his birthplace and decides to make him experience how it is to live in the city. His intention is to make Nelson see that there is nothing to boast about in being born in the city so just as he gained wisdom through experience he contemplates that the best way to open the eyes of the young boy is to let him experience a day in the city. Although Mr. Head only meant the trip for the learning of the boy, he is to find out that there is also a lesson waiting for him. The grandfather, being an old man, always thought he is better than his grandson and when they got lost, he still was too prideful to admit his mistakes. He insists on concentrating in teaching Nelson that the place they are in is where he was born and that there is nothing good about it that he should be proud of. When the two realize that they left their lunch at the train, the boy blames his grandfather of getting them lost and leaving their food. However, instead of admitting his lack of judgment, the old man tried to blame things back to the young boy. The old man is too proud to stoop down and admit his mistakes to his young grandson. On the other hand, the young boy learns little by little

Wal-Mart Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Wal-Mart Strategic Management - Essay Example But certainly the situation was not the same in the late 1950s or early 1960s, when Wal-Mart began its operations. Porter's five forces analysis proves to be quite useful in finding out the attractiveness of an industry. Porter came out with the five forces analysis, which helps in analyzing the attractiveness of an industry by taking into account different aspects of the business. Porter's Five Forces have become a yardstick for assessing industry profitability. This helps the retailer in consistent performance and planning. The five forces are; Suppliers: In today's context, large supermarkets like Wal-Mart have the overwhelming advantage over the small shopkeepers, as they are in a position to dictate the price they pay to the suppliers. The situation may not be as challenging for suppliers as now, but the lucre of supplying large quantities to reputed companies had always been there, as it helps the suppliers to leverage the economies of scale. Well, the number of stores of Wal-Mart and its presence was not as prevalent as today, but we must also take into account that the population and number of customers too was less. Therefore, even if we go back by about 55-60 years, we could easily figure out that the power of suppliers was not substantial enough to dictate terms to Wal-Mart. This helped the company to further strengthen its discount retail business. Competition: Competition in the retail business is a relatively newer phenomenon. The era of colonialism can very well be said to have given shape to the trend of globalization, but the roots of modern era of globalization came on the horizon in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Policies of liberalization by many countries around the world provided the all important catalyst to the modern era of globalization. There were indeed some reputed companies like K-Mart, Sobeys Inc, Family Thrift Centre etc in the retail business when Wal-Mart came out its concept of discount retail business, which might have given interesting competition to Wal-Mart even during those early days. Potential Entrants: Looking at the number of retailers and timeline of their origin, it becomes quite clear that the retail business seemed to attract quite a few entrepreneurs. Dan's Super Market, Wally's Supermarkets etc. are some of the new entrants during the 1950s, which found the retail business quite attractive. Therefore, while carrying out the discount retail business, the threat of new entrants was quite genuine one for the company even during those days. Buyer/ Customer's Power: If we go by the present circumstances, it is amply clear that today the customer is indeed treated like a king. Today companies believe in trying all out efforts to invite the attention of the customers and provide them with attractive discounts, better quality products and services. But the situation