Unkrainian-American Folklore Essays - Europe, Ukrainian Studies

Unkrainian-American Folklore Purposes of Ukrainian-American Folklore The relatively large Ukrainian community in the United States has many traditions and customs, most of which stem from a feeling of Ukrainian nationalism. As Ukraine was being overtaken by Russia, Ukrainians were immigrating by the thousands to the US. Ukrainians moving to the new world were leaving behind a disappearing culture and moving to a completely different land. Immigrants were proud of their heritage, and many of the traditions that were started in America exist to preserve this heritage and to pass it on to future generations. The Ukrainian Boy Scouting program is one such tradition. Ukrainians in America started this program in the early 1900's to train their young to return to Ukraine and drive the Russians out. This began as resistance to Russian rule over Ukraine. All boys and girls participate in this intermittently throughout the year, starting at age seven and continuing for life. Ukrainian Boy Scouts is very different from the typical American view of Boy Scouts, in that it involves a more rigorous wilderness-training program. This is because the program was essentially started as a military training program, and although it exists now only for fun and tradition, many of the subjects and ideas taught to the youths remain the same. People who are involved in the program put their children through it, as an attempt to preserve Ukrainian culture. When Ukrainians turn eighteen they become counselors, and at age thirty-five they become seniors and run the program. This program, along with a handful of similar programs, was started for various reasons. To begin with, Ukrainian youths had trouble adjusting to American society. ?They (Ukrainian youth programs) are helping to solve some of the social problems of the ?second generation' that does not seem to be able to find its way into American society or does not feel at home there.? Ukrainian youths were out of place in America with no sense of identity, and these programs made the adjustment less difficult. These programs also serve to maintain youth interest in Ukrainian heritage. ?The adults are perplexed at the indifference of the American-born youth to such worthy institutions (Ukrainian-American organizations).? The youth programs involve American-born Ukrainians at a young age, insuring that they will grow up to preserve Ukrainian heritage and culture. A third reason for these programs is that, at the time of their creation, the Ukrainian community in America was divided into two groups. ?One of them represented independent Ukrainian nationalism and the other, being stimulated by funds from Russia, was pro-Russian.? The nationalist group was responsible for these programs. In addition to the other functions, they started these programs to compete with the pro-Russian faction and ensure the survival of Ukrainian culture. These programs exist today to ensure the future of Ukrainian culture, essentially serving the same function it always has. The Red Flower is a traditional Ukrainian song. It also comes from Ukraine's history with Russia, and although it is sung in Ukrainian, The chorus goes as follows in English: Down in the valley A flower wilted And our sacred country Went to ruins The flower in the song is a metaphor for Ukraine, and when Russia took control of Ukraine, the ?flower wilted?. This is a somber song, which is sung at serious gatherings such as funerals or church. It is also sung often during the Boy Scouts training, to teach the young to sing it. Clearly this song serves as a source of nationalism, because the words remind those who hear it of Ukraine's sad past. The song also reminds Ukrainians of why it is important to preserve their culture, to restore Ukraine to glory. The Hopak is a traditional Ukrainian dance, which is performed frequently by Ukrainians in America. Outsiders often refer it to as the ?Russian Dance?, but it is actually a Ukrainian dance. The dancer is a man wearing leather boots, loose fitting red silk pants, and a white shirt with colored embroidering down the middle. His hair is shaved to the scalp except for a small circle on the top of his head, where the hair is about half a foot long. He squats down low, and kicks his feet out with his body upright and his arms folded.

American History essays

Automotive/American History essays How the Automobile Both Paralleled History As Well As Shaped Society As American Culture has evolved, inventions have paralleled its alterations. From the automobiles humble beginnings as a horseless carriage in the late 1800s, Henry Ford made the coach for the everyday man (Tshimanga). Because of this invention, the generations in the 20th century were put into motion, literally. Through the years, the automobile has evolved to become what we know today. From designing the Model T, to the Thunderbird and the Tiburon, the automobile industry has responded to meet cultural trends as well as to meet cutting edge technologies. Some examples of the trends that the industry paralleled are: the Art Deco movement during the American Great Depression, Americas space program in the 1960s, the gas crisis in the 1970s, and the growing computer world in the present day. The car also has shaped society through associations such as NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing), NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) drag racing, and the loyal following of car collectors and enthusiasts. For the more popular music has used cars as a symbol, and marketers have fueled the influence cars have on pop culture. Cars define the character of an American more than that of any other country in the world. From the massive tail-wings of the Cadillacs, borrowed from the space program, to the massive size and intimidation of the SUVs of today, cars also lend in the development of Americans personalities. A person who wants to display power or to intimidate may drive a Ford Excursion or a Suburban because of its grandeur. The automobile reflects fame, fortune, power, and who we are. The automobile plays a prominent role in American media; the automobile is on TV in races, in movies, in advertisements, and in general programming. Many celebrities are defined or recognized by the cars they d...

Theory of demand Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Theory of demand - Term Paper Example As the price of goods and services rise, the quantity demand by consumers goes down. Siddiqui (35) further describes demand as that effective desire which can be satisfied meaning that desires are simply imaginations. It is required that the demand commodity should be available at a certain place, time, and price. Demand must satisfy the following requirements; desire for the specific commodity; sufficient resources to purchase the desired commodity; willingness to spend the resources; and the availability of the commodity. In addition, demand can also be used to measure or predict the quantity of commodities and services which the buyers would be motivated to buy in a market at a given time and at a given place. The changes in the price of the commodities that are related to that which a consumer uses affects the market demand for it and an example of this would be the price of margarine (which the consumer does not normally use) is much lower than the price of butter. Inevitably, the consumer will decide to go for the cheaper product although their preference lies with the more expensive one. The demand for certain commodities may also be affected by the changes of the income of potential buyers, for example, if the income of a buyer is reduced, then he will opt to purchase cheaper commodities in line with his diminished income; but if the income is increased, then the buyer’s demand for the same product at higher prices will increase significantly. The future expectations of buyers almost alw ays have a tendency of influencing the market demand of a product and this is usually displayed by considering the income security of potential buyers. If a potential buyer is confident in his belief that his future income will be stable, the he is more likely to spend more in buying both the commodities that he needs and wants. If however his future income is very insecure,