Learning to read and write Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Learning to read and write - Essay Example Fredrick Douglass, in his article â€Å"Learning to Read and write,† gives an account of slavery and how depriving it was to him as well as other slaves under the abolition movement. He takes us through his seven year life under his master and mistress in a captivating manner that clearly brings out the situation many slaves had to encounter. The master was consistently against his slave’s learning while the mistress initially supported and even thought him how to write but later succumbed to the husband’s directives not to have Fredrick literate. But out of a great personal resolve and determination he was able to succeed in learning how to read and write. The mistress was such a kind woman and initially treated Fredrick just the way she supposed a human being should be treated by another. She even could teach him how to read and write but with time gave in to the husband’s directions not to do that. She not only stopped instructing him but also discouraged anyone from instructing him. But Fredrick had been given the inch when the mistress taught him the alphabet and therefore nothing could stop him from taking the ell. He therefore used all strategies available to acquire literacy and understand what certain words like slavery, abolition and others meant. Generally slaves were seen as lesser humans with limited capability in academics and other fields of life. They did not have any constitutional rights hence most of them were even not allowed to marry, those who were married were separated from their families and their children could be taken and sold off any time without their permission. They were used in lotteries, were not allowed to testify in courts and were not entitled to education. Their movements as well as interactions were closely monitored and they had to carry around the pass every time. (Brumley, 1999). The slaves therefore employed different strategies sometimes to reverse their situations. The slave in

Doctrine of Parliamentary Sovereignity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Doctrine of Parliamentary Sovereignity - Essay Example Aside from being an ultimate legal source, the fact that the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty has been recognized under the Communities Act 1972 make this doctrine even stronger. Note that the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty is enshrined in the European Communities Act 1972 which provides that the Parliament has the final say when it comes to what laws are to be or should be implemented within the territories of the United Kingdom4. The powers of the Parliament are separate and distinct from the powers of the courts and the courts may not usurp the powers of the Parliament by declaring the laws enacted by the Parliament to be invalid. Technically, this means that when since the powers of the Parliament are distinct, any other government agencies cannot usurp or put limitations to such powers without violating the laws5. Although English law gives the Parliament the powers to enact laws and enjoy sovereignty, the doctrine of parliamentary sovereign has been challenged many times in the past and will be challenged again and again in the future. The devolution of the powers of the Parliament together with some laws and treaties put pressure on sovereignty the sovereignty of the Parliament. Note that there are provisions under the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) and in a number of European Union (EU) treaties that may weaken and even override the inherent powers of the parliament. When it comes to the Human Rights Act, there are provisions in the act that allows the courts to review the legislations made by the Parliament or declare these legislations as incompatible with the European Commission on Human Rights (ECHR). On the other hand, the ratchet clauses in some EU Treaties allow the transfer of powers from the UK Parliament to the EU without the need to amend the treaty. Moreover, there are some provisions in the treaties that require the implementation of EU laws over local laws which