OSU Journals (Oklahoma State University)
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Fictional reality and the portrayal of justice in modern sociology and contemporary novels
Get PDFSocial justice is a popular subject of discussion in sociology, politics, jurisprudence, as well as popular novels. The outcomes of its proceedings are equally curious because that which is "'just" depends upon such variables as defining the direction that justice needs to take; allocating authority to enforce it; and public reaction to its consequences. This article represents a layered investigative journey into the portrayal of justice in nine popular series novels because its fictional enactment represents the way that the population would like to see it enforced, but does not. Since the body of the material reviewed here are works of fiction which incorporate known data a new expression is offered. Fictional reality refers to the ways in which novelists weave fair knowledge about modern justice into stories which please their audiences, and this article explores the means by which that melding occurs
Culture wars against religion and a gathering of triangulated responses to them
Get PDFThis article brings together four triangulated sets of core values and beliefs as tools that religious adherents, or believers, can use when faced with culture wars or social attacks against them. The principles contained in the sets of ideas can transcend faiths and denominations, but they were developed within Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism, and are credited to St. Benedict's rules of monasticism, the individual teachings of Anglican theologians Richard Hooker and C.E. Raven, and the modern cursillo movement within the Roman Catholic and Episcopal denominations. While the expression "culture wars" is considered to be a modern phenomenon, social attacks against religions are not, and can be considered as elements of social conflict with one notable exception. Traditionalsocial conflict theories make ample use of such expressions as groups, parties, and coalitions, suggesting united memberships, united beliefs, and coordinated efforts. Modern culture wars against religion, however, seem to be waged by amorphous bodies of critics without uniform beliefs between them, trying to discredit an equally unshaped body of believers with diverse theological, liturgical, and canonical traditions
Origins, orientations and etiologies of the U.S. citizen militia movement, 1982-1997
Get PDFThis paper is a review of what we know about the origins, orientations and etiologies of U.S. citizen militias that formed between 1982 and 1997. Two phases in the evolution of this movement emerge: Phase One (1982-1991) marks the rise and fall of Christian Patriot militias; Phase Two (1992-1997) is characterized by the appearance of Constitutionalist entities. Precursors to Phase One drew heavily upon the classic republican tradition of an unorganized, armed populace. Philosophically these precursors branched out toward both Christian Identity and Constitutionalism. Phase One groups were influenced by the Identity tract The Turner Diaries and by the survivalist Nehemiah Township Charter and Common Law Contract. Phase Two built upon the Constitutionalism of the precursors and was propelled by Pat Robertson's book, a speech by George Bush, and BATF raids at Ruby Ridge and Waco. At its extreme, militia ideology expresses a paranoid view of how the New World Order is preparing for collectivist control. Sociological explanations of militias emphasize the recruitment to activism, how enemies are socially constructed, the paramilitary culture of the postwar U.S., and the role of structural strain. The paper concludes with an exploration of the concepts of hate crime and domestic terrorism as each relates to the U.S. militia phenomenon
Participation of Latino community-based organizations in RWCA process: A study of two metropolitan areas
Get PDFThis study examines implementation of the Ryan White CARE Act (RWCA) in two Title I jurisdictions in order to better understand the participation of the Latino community in the Planning Council decision-making and allocation processes. Data were obtained from two Eligible Metropolitan Areas (EMAs) through surveys and a total of 27 in-depth, in-person interviews with executive directors and HIV/AIDS service staff from 14 Latino communityÂbased organizations, Planning Council Chairs, RWCA Title I Administrators, and HRSA ProÂject Officers. Results provide insight into the factors that facilitate or hinder effective parÂticipation of the Latino community in the RWCA process and highlight the need for support in the building of infrastructure and capacity within Latino agencies. This analysis also conÂtributes to the growing literature addressing the processes of coalition-building
The forgotten people: Multiracial individuals
Get PDFThis paper offers an extensive review of the literature pertaining to the identity formation and experiences of multiracial people in the United States. Much of the attention they receive in the literature tends to be directed toward discussions of either the U.S. Census or identity issues. Offered in this critique of the literature is a discussion of the problems which arise when the government attempts to classify multiracial people into monoracial categories, an acknowledgment of the challenges which individuals of mixed race face while forming and developing their multidimensional identities, and an overview of concepÂtualizations of race
Reliability and validity of the 5-item language-based Latino acculturation scale
Get PDFWhile there are several reliable and valid measures of Latino acculturation in use, they are relatively expensive to administer and analyze because of their length. Although Marin et. al , 1987 12-item acculturation scale is quite appropriate, factor analytic results suggest the feasibility of a shorter, 5-item scale focused on language use alone. This study investiÂgates the psychometric properties of that Language Scale by comparing it with the longer 20-item Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans. Results indicate the proposed scale 5-item scale has high reliability and validity. The Language Scale does not have sufÂficient precision to measure the extent to which persons incorporate both their host and birth cultures. It adequately measures the extent to which the host culture has become familiar or remains unfamiliar to the individual. In some instances, the use of a lengthier scale may not be required, and may even be counterproductive. This is true in some appliÂcations, such as clinical trials, pilot studies, and longitudinal studies where the use of the proposed shorter scale can be useful. It applies specially to research situations when invesÂtigators wish merely to control for acculturation, rather than study acculturation as a pheÂnomenon in its own right