Post-Civil War Law essays

Post-Civil War Law essays Post-Civil War Law: Who Did It Benefit? For most Americans today, the law is a static entity, something which, from day to day, does not cross our minds because of its relatively fixed position. Theoretically, the law protects all Americans equally, regardless of race, ethnicity, or class, and is the tool of just and impartial lawmakers who represent us in Congress. The judiciary, both at the state and federal levels, serves as the interpreters of the law, supposedly wielding little power in influencing state and national policy. That is the theory. Following the Civil War, the United States was a country in turmoil, having narrowly averted the secession of eleven states and now faced with the prospect of integrating those states back into the Union. From 1860, the beginning of the Civil War, to 1920, the beginning of the first World War, American society changed drastically with the integration of the freedman and the Industrial Revolution, and the law changed with it. Unfortunately, during this time American law was influenced heavily by a handful of elites who used the law to their benefit while hampering the efforts of minorities to succeed. This influence on American law had profound effects on minorities in two areas: race and ethnicity; and economic and social class. Cases such as Plessy v. Ferguson and Welton v. Missouri are prime examples of how the elites during this time used law to discriminate against large minorities, whether they be blacks or small business owners, in order to stay on top of the American class system. After the emancipation of the slaves following the end of the Civil War, The U.S. government attempted to rectify the problem of discrimination against blacks through the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1875. It stated that, "all persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, and p...

5 Steps to Choosing the Right Medical Career Path

5 Steps to Choosing the Right Medical Career Path Whether you’re a biochem whiz, or just a Grey’s Anatomy addict, you’ve decided that the medical field is for you. You want to save lives, or hold hands and mop brows, or make a difference. Or maybe you just want to make more money, and have noticed that the medical professions tend to be well-paid. That’s great. But what if you don’t know any more than that? Where to next?Here are 5 steps to figuring out which medical career to choose, and in which direction to push yourself in your drive forward toward success.1. Choose your adventureWhatever your motivation, dig a little deeper and make sure you know exactly what it entails. Then orient yourself accordingly. Are you more of a people (read: patients) person? Or a lab rat? Do you want to do the nitty-gritty day-to-day aide of the ailing? Or would you rather assist a surgeon? Or would you like to be more hands on and try working in PT or occupational therapy? Figure out what skills and tastes you hav e, then figure out which field within the medical family suits those best. Then make sure you’re aware of any training or schooling you’d require for that field, and whether or not you’re willing to acquire it.2. SpecializeWould you prefer to be in hospital or clinic? A doctor’s office or an urgent care? Do you want to be around children, the elderly, expecting mothers? Or a couple hundred beakers and test tubes? Figure out your ideal work environment, then start looking for positions within those.3.  Pick an ideal roleWithin that work environment, what’s your ideal role? Do you want to be a leader? A team member? An assistant? Would you rather do administrative duties? Or patient care? Consider what is most appropriate for you, your skills and talents, your knowledge, the level of education you’re likely to attain, and of course, your temperament. (Don’t decide to be a trauma surgeon if stress makes you faint. And don’t pick a desk job in health records if you get easily bored.)4. Get the skillsOnce you’ve narrowed down a field, a work environment, and role, make sure you have a good grasp on the skills and experience required. If you don’t have any of them, or you need to pursue certifications or degrees, get started as soon as you can. You’ll never have a shot at the jobs you want unless you work to be qualified enough to land them.5. Study hardNo matter what path you’ve chosen, you’re probably going to need some additional school. Do similar soul-searching when choosing a program that’s best for you. Then study hard, keep your eye on the prize, and remember: now that you’ve done all this preparation and self-interrogation, you can be confident in your choice. This is the career you want. Go get it.