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Looking For Leroy
Looking For Leroy
Introduction
Issues pertaining to racism and racial stereotypes have always made a popular topic in the contemporary human society. Indeed, it goes without saying that racism is embedded in the United States fabric especially considering its history with slave trade. As much as slave trade may have been abolished more than a hundred years ago, the stereotypes that were created at that time as pertaining to the characteristics, physical attributes and mental aptitudes of individuals on the basis of the color of their skin are yet to be completely eliminated (Tatum 13). Needless to say, individuals of African origin or rather African Americans have been on the receiving end of these stereotypes. There have been misconceptions as to the fact that they have considerably low mental aptitudes and are significantly more emotional than their white counterparts. This, undoubtedly, has had a bearing on the treatment that they receive in the workplaces, their economic situations, earning potential and even the manner in which the criminal justice systems treat them (Tatum 15). Even more demeaning are the stereotypes pertaining to their body structures and what they would mean. Indeed, the society has come up with perceptions as to what a perfect body structure for African Americans entails. In essence, any individual whose body structure does not adhere to these stereotypes would have certain misconceptions formed about him. These misconceptions may revolve around the individual’s sexuality, his nature, temperament, intellectual aptitudes, as well as whether they are criminals or not. This is the topic around which Mark Anthony Neal’s book named “Looking for Leroy: Illegible Black Masculinities” is centered.
This book makes for an engaging, as well as a provocative analysis pertaining to the complicated manner in which black masculinity has persistently been read and misread by the American popular culture in the contemporary human society. Neal underlines the fact or notion that black boys and men are, in a profound way bound by and to their legibility. The term legible, in this case, would be used to underline undesirable bodies or bodies whose structure would trigger a negative image. In this case, “legible” black male bodies would, in many instances, be rendered as criminal, or rather bodies that are in need of containment, as well as constant policing. Neal, in an ironical twist, argues that this type of legibility comes as a desirable relief to the white America as it offers easily identifiable images pertaining to black men in an era that is characterized by shifts in gendered, sexual, as well as racial identities. Indeed, Neal underlines the far-reaching likelihood pertaining to rendering legible black male bodies, or rather bodies that appear too real to the larger majority of the contemporary human society, as illegible, while, at the same time rendering the illegible black male bodies, the type or side of black masculinity that many would find it difficult to believe are real, as legible.
While varied factors may have played a role in the proliferation and the continued existence of these stereotypes, it is evident that the largest part of the blame would go to the media. Indeed, Neal Notes that there exists a troubling connection between the manner in which the media portrays black males and their lowered opportunities in life. There exist distorted or imprecise portrayal patterns, as well as causal links between the manner in which the media portrays black males and the attitude of the public towards them. Indeed, black males are underrepresented in the corporate media, and in instances where they appear, their positive associations are relegated to the periphery while their negative connotations are amplified in a manner that shapes public imaginations that result in increased antagonism towards African American males especially with the belief that they have violent and criminal inclinations.
In the examination of the role of the media in reinforcing disintegrating these stereotypes, Neal undertakes the analysis of the movie “The Wire” and especially the Bell character in the movie as played by Idris Elba. While there exists many movies that depict black men, “The Wire” distinguishes itself in the fact that it explicitly suggests that the dominant social, economic and political constructs that the contemporary human society has held onto are no viable any more (Neal 88). In fact, this may be the reason as to why the movie performed dismally, as the brilliance that Bell (portrayed by Elba) exudes, criminally or otherwise, is rarely related with characters of black origin on cable television or even network. Indeed, the movie drew its biggest fans from individuals that identified with the characters in question, as well as its critics.
One of the characters that challenge the notions that have been created by the mainstream media is Omar. Neal notes that the movie’s production team went against the grain in coming up with a character whose hypermasculinity and homosexuality is firmly established thereby allowing him to emerge as the ground for numerous projections (Neal 93). He is marked as having a queer identity especially considering the connection across the unfixable and unfixing social and political positioning against “heteronormativity”. Neal acknowledges that the character presses the boundaries pertaining to the portrayal of black masculinity on television (Neal 93). His brilliance especially in court is bound to raffle feathers especially with regard to the mental aptitude of black men. Indeed, this may be portrayed by the fact that he offers some help in the waiting room to a white court officer who is trying to fill a crossword puzzle and gives the correct answer to the question on the Greek god of war. This is definitely bound to ruffle feathers as it may be indicative of the fact that black people have equal if not higher intelligence levels or mental aptitudes than their white counterparts (Neal 94).
In addition, the movie’s depiction of Bell is a challenge to the commonly held conventions. As much as Bell is functioning in the drug world under Barksdale, he comes with a corporate demeanor that is yet to be accepted in the minds of a large number of people in the contemporary human society. He is evidently intelligent, skilled and disciplined, something that is far from the conceptions that are held pertaining to black men. Indeed, the fact that he undertook a business course creates the notion that he has a worldview that cannot be contained by the corners controlled by Barksdale’s empire. Of particular note is the manner in which his capabilities are brought out after the incarceration of Barksdale. The manner in which he takes over the drugs trade gives him the capacity to create an aura of independence in his operations, which safeguards the capacity of the business to grow within a short time. In a dispute where he is admonishing employees who do not seem to be concerned about their jobs, Bell exudes confidence as he applies some theories that he was taught in the business school to create an impression as to how their ineptitude would hurt customers and the business at large in the long-term (Tatum 45). This underlines the fact that black people have the capacity to profitably run businesses just as their white counterparts, as well as grasp economic and academic concepts and apply them in their businesses to safeguard their profitability. His flexibility is underlined by the fact that he has different magnitudes of social and cultural capital that allows him to function and transition rather effortlessly in different spaces (Neal 101). These are all things that may not be expected of black people.
In conclusion, racism and stereotypes have been controversial topics. Blacks, unfortunately have been on the receiving end of these stereotypes, thanks to their root in slavery. These stereotypes are used to determine the mental aptitudes of individuals, with Mathew Neal stating that the bodies of black male may be used to characterize them in line with their sexuality, intelligence or even criminal nature. However, the book undertakes an analysis of varied movies that have challenged these stereotypes that are primarily propagated by the media. Of particular note are the characters in the movie “The Wire” whose mental aptitudes seems to challenge that of their white counterparts. Omar assists a white officer in filling a crossword puzzle, thereby challenging stereotypes on their intelligence. In addition, he comes off as brilliant in the manner in which he presents evidence in court. The managerial skills and business acumen of Bell challenges these stereotypes especially considering the profitability he drives in the company.
Works cited
Neal, Mark A. Looking for Leroy: Illegible Black Masculinities. , 2013. Print.
Tatum, Beverly D. “why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?”: And Other Conversations About Race. New York: Basic Books, 2003. Print.
Long-term Care Public and Private Partnership Program
Long-term Care Public and Private Partnership Program
The policy problem involved is the general effectiveness of the partnership programs on the long-term care insurance coverage for the aging. This is in relation to the partnership policy sales over the recent years as a reflection of the long-term care insurance market overall trends (FDHC, 2014). A significant number of the partnership policies are believed to be comprehensive to cover both home and community-based care and nursing home care. The purchase in individual based rather than organization-sponsored approach. The problem on the policy issue surfaced upon the denial of close to 16 percent applications with the majority approved. This came with variations in the coverage amount purchased through partnership shareholders across four states. The partnership program was designed to encourage the purchase of private care insurance. The policies have been proven tax qualified under the federal law. It provided inflation protection for policyholders and asset protection in cases involving policyholder’s application for long-term care Medicaid assistance (FDHC, 2014).
Long-term Care Public and Private Partnership Program were established in 1987 as one of the demonstration projects financed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Four states as the major facilitators of the demonstration project, including Connecticut, California, New York and Indiana managed to develop partnership programs. The programs were designed with the aim of encouraging the purchase of the created private long-term care insurance (FDHC, 2014). This was especially advised among the individuals with moderate income. This was to enable a significant reduction in unnecessary future reliance on Medicaid to cater for long-term care services. Recent available data indicate of over 172,000 partnership policies active in the four states.
However, there are variation indications on how such partnership programs, protect the assets of policyholders. Connecticut and California programs have models designed based on a dollar-for-dollar approach. Based on such an approach, the dollar amounts of the protected assets correspond to the benefits dollar value as paid through the long-term care insurance policy. A significant example is the case that involves the purchase of a long-term care insurance policy with a value up to $150,000 as coverage would have an asset value of $150,000 coverage (Issue Brief, 2007). This is when an individual decides to exhaust the benefits of long-term care insurance and apply for the Medicaid. The program based in New York necessitates the purchase of a reliable long-term care insurance policy. This is to cover a minimum of 3 years based nursing home care and a 6 year based home and community care. The policy offers a total asset protection for entire purchaser’s assets during the Medicaid eligibility determination time (Issue Brief, 2007).
The Indiana based program utilizes a hybrid model which enables the purchasers to secure dollar-for-dollar protection. This goes up to a specific benefit level, which is defined by the state. All benefit related policies under the program above a specific threshold provides a total asset protection for the purchaser. The demographics of the program have changed significantly over the years. The average age of the partnership policyholders during the purchase time had a range of 58-63 in Indiana, Connecticut and New York with the ones in California at 60 (Issue Brief, 2007). Most of the partnership policyholders at the time were married females who were purchasing long-term care insurance for the first time. A general survey of the people who purchased the partnership policy in Connecticut and California reported of being in excellent health condition. Most of the partnership policyholder in the three states indicated of owning assets of up to $350,000 in value (Issue Brief, 2007).
When the issue was discussed in the past, a Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 was established with the inclusion of a number of fundamental reforms based on the terms of long-term care services. This was of interest to the many states willing to comply with the program which aided the lifting of the moratorium approach of the partnership programs (Issue Brief, 2007). Under the provisions of the Act, all the states are able to make vital implementations of the long-term care partnership programs based on the approved state plan amendment. This is only after meeting specific requirements. The Act expects programs to have specific outlined consumer protections, especially of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Model regulations on long-term care approach (Issue Brief, 2007). It also facilitates policy inclusion of inflation protection upon making purchases, and it applies to the people under the age of 76.
Under the policy, care is provided through managed care organizations. Through the policy, most of the active partnership policyholders have been able to access their long-term care insurance benefits. Since the establishment of the programs, the policy has aided in the receivership of long-term care insurance benefits for 251 policyholders in the four states (Issue Brief, 2007). 119 which are 19 percent of the policyholders have also been able to have access to Medicaid. The remaining 53 percent in the program has not been able to access the Medicaid. Interviews with the state officials reveal that it may be as a result of the policyholders spending down their income or having unprotected assets. Their health may have also improved, or immediate families provided the informal care. However, the policy has ensured there is cost saving to the Medicaid program through the purchasing of long-term care insurance benefits (Issue Brief, 2007).
During the purchase of the partnership policy, the average age ranges from 58 to 63 in three states including Indiana, Connecticut and New York. In California, the rate is at 60. Most of the policyholders are female in marriage institutions and purchases the long-term care insurance for the first time. In the three states, the majority of the policyholders report having assets greater than $350,000 (FDHC, 2014). Half or more of the policyholders report of having an average monthly household income more than $5,000. As a result of the aging baby boom generation and the rising cost of services, settling for long-term care has become an issue for the policy-makers. Expenditures incurred under the policy make up the largest part of the long-term care cost in the four states. The cost for nursing home care is part of a significant risk the elderly partnership policy shareholders incur. Up to 27 percent of the men participate in the program at the age of 65 years and above. Approximately 44 percent of women are also policyholders in the program.
Among the policyholders who honor the program policy provisions, 33% men and 42% women spend more time in the program than a year. Most of the households in America turn to the Medicaid program due to lack of resources. The program caters for a major percentage of the total long-term expenditures (Issue Brief, 2007). In 2005, a significant amount of money up to $122 billion was spent on the nursing homes established through the program to care for the participants. This was with an additional cost amounting to $47.5 billion on home-health care. The Medicaid accounts for the expenses in a larger share. The consumers cover 26.5% of the nursing home costs, in addition to the 43.9%, of the nursing facilities cost. The private insurance covers the other remaining 7.5 percent (Issue Brief, 2007).
Some of the options proposed to deal with the policy issues include:
Implementation through coordination with multiple stakeholders: successful implementation of the partnership program issues necessitates an input and effort from a variety of stakeholders. They include private industry, state policy makers and policyholders themselves.
State budget and target population impact: this is based on the idea that the success of the partnership program in facilitating a reduction in long-term care expenditures rely on the ability of the program to encourage Americans with moderate incomes. This is since they would otherwise opt for the Medicaid majorly for potential long-term care requirements and in purchasing private insurance.
Agent and consumer education: based on the complexity of the long-term care insurance program choices, with the additional intricacy of the partnership program, the majority of the people have strong feelings on consumer education and insurance agent training. They suggest that it should be established in new and enhanced state partnership program.
Inflation protection: this is meant to protect the elderly meet the expectations of the program in acquiring the long-term care insurance coverage
The groups that supported these solutions include state agencies such as the Agency for Health Care Administration, and the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Department of Children and Family Services (Issue Brief, 2007). They did this to ensure the program satisfy the requirements of the consumers and ascertain the policy is effective enough for policyholders to benefit adequately. Some members of the congress and consumer advocacy organizations opposed some of the solutions, especially the issue of inflation protection through insisting that implementations be made. This is to facilitate an automated compound inflation protection majorly for the people under the age of 61. When the issue is debated again, they will introduce approaches such as future-purchase protection option to back up their ideas (Issue Brief, 2007).
References
Fdhc.state.fl.us. (2014). Ahca: Florida long-term care insurance partnership program. Retrieved from: HYPERLINK “http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/Medicaid/ltc_partnership_program/Index.shtml” http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/Medicaid/ltc_partnership_program/Index.shtml
Issue Brief. (2007). Long-term Care Partnership Expansion: A New Opportunity for States. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Retrieved from: HYPERLINK “http://www.chcs.org/usr_doc/Long-Term_Care_Partnership_Expansion.pdf” http://www.chcs.org/usr_doc/Long-Term_Care_Partnership_Expansion.pdf
Long Island University
Long Island University
GBA 519 – StatisticsFall 2021
Test 1
Your Name:
Multiple Choice Questions (3 Points Each). Please circle the correct answer.
1- The classification of student class designation (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior) is an example of a(n)
a. nominal random variable.
b. interval random variable.
c. ordinal random variable.
d. a parameter.
2- All calculations are permitted on what type of data?
a. Interval data
b. Nominal data
c. Ordinal data
d. All of these choices are true.
3- Data
a. is always numeric.
b. is always nonnumeric.
c. is the raw material of statistics.
d. None of the above..
4- The relative frequency of a class in a histogram is computed by
a. dividing the frequency of the class by the number of classes.
b. dividing the frequency of the class by the class width.
c. dividing the frequency of the class by the total of all frequencies.
d. None of these choices.
5- Qualitative data
a. must be numeric.
b. must be nonnumeric.
c. cannot be numeric.
d. may be either numeric or nonnumeric.
6- – Which of the following is most likely a sample as opposed to a population?
All customers of a bank
Students in a given university
Every fifth student to arrive at the book store on your campus
Registered voters in the State of Michigan
7- In a cumulative frequency distribution, the last class will always have a cumulative frequency equal to
a. One.
b. 100%.
c.
d. the total number of elements in the data set.
none of the above.
8- The upper limit of box-plots (the end of the right whisker) is
a. always greater than the largest value in the data set.
b. always smaller than the largest value in the data set.
c. always equal to the largest value in the data set.
d. none of the above.
9- The pie chart is an appropriate chart for
a. numerical data only.
b. ratio scale data only.
c. categorical data.
d. Interval data only.
10- The 60th percentile is a data value that is
a. smaller than the median.
b. between the median and the smallest value in the data set.
c. larger than the median and smaller than the largest value in the data set.
d. larger than the smallest value in the data set and smaller than the median.
(10 Points)
A survey of students was conducted to determine how they rate the quality of on-line classes. Students were asked to rate the overall quality as Excellent (E), Very Good (V), Good (G) and Poor (P). The following data were obtained:
E G G V P P V V E V
P E G G V V P P V E
P V G G G G E V P G
V V V V P P G G E V
a) What percentage of students rated the quality as Very Good?
b) Construct a bar graph of this data and provide required descriptive information for this graph.
2- (15 Points)
The ordered array below resulted from taking a sample of 25 batches of 500 computer chips and determining how many in each batch were defective.
Defects
1244556799121215
17 2021232325262727282929
a) Construct a frequency distribution and a Histogram .
b) Construct a cumulative percentage distribution and graph it (OGIVE).
3 – (15 points)
Health care issues are receiving much attention in both academic and political arenas. A sociologist recently conducted a survey of citizens over 60 years of age whose net worth is too high to qualify for Medicaid and have no private health insurance. The ages of 20 uninsured senior citizens were as follows:
73628164906668686961
75747663818286876592
a) Identify the median age of the uninsured senior citizens.
b) Determine the 5 number summary for this data.
c) Prepare a box-plot for this data.
d) Is the data skewed? Right or Left?
4- (15 Points)
Find the Z score for the following data and identify the outliers, if any.
20, 26, 24, 19, 39
5- (15 Points)
Consider the following sample:
x 12 7 8 6 6
y 22 16 12 14 10
Prepare the scatter plot.
Calculate the Covariance.
Calculate the coefficient of correlation and comment on the relationship between x and y.