Literacy Narrative Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Literacy Narrative - Essay Example I couldnt stop figuring out how it could be if I won in a foreign land, and was branded the best singer of the year. I was very determined to win and, therefore, I dedicated myself and spent sleepless nights practicing. The song was quite challenging since it was not easy to translate all the words. I kept on forgetting some parts of the song, and I had to refer to my script uncountable times. Giving up was not an alternative; I had to win thee challenge. One month prior the talent show day, I sacrificed having fun with my friends and visiting the gym. I utilized this time to perfect my presentation. Finally, the long awaited day came. After class that day, I rushed to my room to freshen up. I dressed to the occasion and started the journey. My family had travelled to cheer me as I presented. We drove to the venue, my younger brother and mom sang the song all the way. This assisted me since I was able to grasp every word as they sang. My father helped me that my effort would be rewarded, and I would win. We arrived, and my family went to the audience hall when I joined the other contestants. The contestant looked so sure of themselves, and this made me feel nervous. Their mastery for English was very good, and they were so eloquent in their presentation. My dads words lingered at the back of my mind, and this encouraged me. I was the second presenter, and as the first presenter left the stage, there was a loud applause. I was nervous and wondered whether the audience would applause me. As I marched forward to the stage, I spotted my mother from the crowd. There was very much pri de in her eyes, and I heard an inner voice say, "Time has come. Make your mother proud." I stood behind the microphone and held my guitar tighter. This time, I was very composed and sure of my eloquence. I started the song and amazingly, I did not forget even a single word. It seemed as if English was using my native language. The judges starred at me with

Law Enforcement Deviance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Law Enforcement Deviance - Essay Example The consequences of this deviance by the Los Angeles Police Department will be felt for many years as the public struggles to regain trust and the department struggles to regain credibility. Forms of police Deviance The use of excessive force and evidence planting are two forms of police deviance that are cited in the Rampart Independent Review. These acts of deviance are not exclusive to the Los Angeles Police Department, as there have been many occurrences nationwide regarding the use of unnecessary force and interfering with or planting evidence by police. Excessive use of force continues to be a major problem today. One of the most notorious cases of excessive use of force by officers was the case involving Rodney King. The Rodney King case not only contained excessive use of force, but also the falsifying of police reports (Mangan, 2000). The Los Angeles Police Department’s supervisors and officers downplayed the injuries to King as minor scrapes and bruises. The police o fficers involved in the beating reported that King confronted officers, resisted, and increased his level of resistance. A different story, however, is shown by the video. King is seen in a vulnerable position on his hands and knees as officers circle him and beat him repeatedly with their batons (Mangan, 2000). The two officers were found guilty, and the other two were acquitted. Police brutality has been a growing issue over the years, with police feeling like they are above the law and insinuating that criminals have no rights hence the brutal beating. There could be no possibly good reason to beat people especially when they are unarmed and handcuffed. Another law enforcement deviant behavior exposed by the Rampart Review is the abuse of drugs by law enforcement officers. In a particular example, a police officer accused several of his colleagues of taking drugs. In the Boston Globe was found that about 75 police officers did not pass any drug tests. For those that failed the te st, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and marijuana were some of the drugs found in their tests. Of the 9354 people employed by the police force, 14 officers have failed drug tests since the year 2000 (Smalley, 2006). Reasons behind the deviant behavior by law enforcement officers Reasons cited in the Rampart Review about the law enforcers’ deviant behaviors are varied. One of the reasons given is the desire for the LAPD to get high marks for the declining crime statistics, possibly pushed by the officer’s leadership. Based on the claim that crime in Rampart area declined from about 1000 instances to fewer than 500 indicates this possibility. Another possible reason could be the lure of cash confiscated in drug busts. Normally, a police officer in Los Angeles earns an average of $42,000 (Indeed.com, 2009). Drug raids confiscate between tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. The officers could be tempted to look for ways of keeping these funds for themselves. Once a police o fficer starts down slippery slope of theft and perjury, it is usually very difficult to find a firm footing. Many officers may find themselves continually trying cover their tracks until the point at which they hurt a civilian who may have too much information concerning their deviant behavior. Hence, the